When can you call police for a runaway?

Well this depends on the state your in. Most states say 48 hrs others say within 24. However if the child is 17 or older you can not file a runaway on them but only a missing person which means if the police locate them they only are required by law to deem them no longer missing. Now know most states when a parent or guardian file runaway, if found the child will be placed in rydc and will have to report to court and if the gudge see's fit then placed back in your custody. However if this is an ongoing behavioral problem u might want to take the opprotunity to file an unruly child petetion at the time of court put a scare in them for a little while then let them come home. Believe me I work for the state of ga dfcs and sometimes that's all they need.well I wish you and yours luck and hope your child returns home to you safely. God bless