A runaway from a private home or foster home may be referred to a CSA when the juvenile is?

• A. 12 or older or habitual
• B. Under 12
• C. 13 or older only
• D. Requires parental consent

Answer: (A)

When a juvenile runs away from a private home or foster placement, the trigger for referring them to the CSA is tied to age and repetition of the behavior. Specifically, if the youth is at least 12 years old, or if they are a habitual runaway, they may be referred to the CSA. This reflects the idea that older youths and those who repeatedly run away present greater risk and may need protective services and coordinated support beyond what a single encounter with law enforcement provides. Parental consent isn’t the deciding factor for CSA involvement—the safety and welfare needs of the child drive the referral. The other options don’t fit because under 12 is not the established threshold for automatic CSA referral, restricting to those 13 or older misses the 12-year-old criterion, and requiring parental consent isn’t how referrals are determined.