Question

Hypothetically, if the CPS comes and take your child away and places them with foster parents and then child tells the foster parents that the child is going to leave but the foster parents says: "Yeah, okay" doesn't take that child seriously, actually leaves the US and goes to a non- US land. Is that considered running away? Since, technically, they gave permisson?

Answer 1

Short answer: in most places, yes — that would normally be treated as an unauthorized absence/runaway or an unlawful removal, not a lawful “permission” to end custody. Foster parents are caretakers, not the legal custodians who can permanently release a child or authorize removal from placement or from the country. The agency or the court that has custody must give that kind of permission.

Why:
- When CPS places a child in foster care, the agency (or the court) has legal custody. Foster parents have responsibility for day‑to‑day care but usually do not have authority to change custody, terminate the placement, or authorize international removal.
- A verbal “yeah, okay” from a foster parent normally does not satisfy the legal requirements for releasing a minor from placement or for international travel consent.
- If a minor leaves the placement without CPS/court authorization, most jurisdictions call that an unauthorized absence/runaway or “absconding.” If an adult takes a minor out of the country without the agency’s or parent’s legal consent, that can also raise civil or criminal issues (custodial interference, kidnapping, unlawful removal), and it complicates any effort to bring the child back.

Exceptions/variables:
- If the child is legally an adult (age 18 in most U.S. states), they can leave on their own.
- Specific rules vary by state and by country, and some limited, short temporary absences (preapproved visits, supervised travel with agency paperwork) are lawful.

What to do now (depending on who you are):
- If you’re the birth parent or legal guardian: contact the child’s CPS caseworker immediately; report the situation to local law enforcement if the child is missing or unlawfully removed; consult an attorney experienced in child welfare.
- If you’re the foster parent: notify the agency and the police right away; do not try to “handle it” yourself.
- If you’re the child: leaving the U.S. can create serious legal and safety problems; talk with the caseworker or get legal help before making major moves. If you’re in immediate danger, call emergency services.

If you want, tell me the U.S. state or country involved and whether the child is a minor or an adult and I can point you to more specific resources and next steps.