Juvie is lock up for kids. Basically that is “jail” for kids. It is not fun. Also known as “JD” for Juvenile Detention. That is a lock-up at a county facility like the court house or jail house. JD is the first step before ACS is called in. ACS is NOT called in until the child goes before the Judge. Once the child goes before the Judge, the Judge will order an investigation or that an ACS worker be assigned to the case. If the parents complain to the ACS worker that they can’t take care of the child and the child won’t listen to them, and the child says that he hates his parents and doesn’t want to live with them, the ACS worker will recommend to the court that the child needs temporary housing outside of the home. This is where things will get complicated and the red tape begins and where kids can get lost in the system.
I am NOT a big fan of Ohel, but I would suggest that you call Ohel and ask someone there what to do in case the child gets picked up. Is there an emergency Ohel number the child could call or someone advocating for the child could call. You need a plan of action and the child needs to know what to do. Of course the best thing would be that he doesn’t get picked up by the cops. Is he old enough to stay at Home Sweet Home? Is it possible that something can be worked out with the parents and Ohel for foster care before he gets picked up on a PINS warrant? Is it possible that he can get a Law Guardian to protect him from getting into the system?
Do you know why this child does not get along with his parents? Is Sonny working on the case? Why is the child so angry? Does he know the consequences if the court gets involved? Does he want to go to family court and speak to them to ask for help? Does he want help with his parents? He doesn’t necessarily have to get in trouble in order to get help. Does he know that?