Adults who hide runaway kids may soon be prosecuted under township law.
Oakland County Sheriff’s Lt. Al Whitefield, commander of the Oxford Township substation, asked the township board Jan. 28 to amend Ordinance 43A (Disorderly Conduct) to include prohibiting the contribution to the delinquency of a minor.
Whitefield said his officers have been confronted with a number of situations in which adults are hiding minor juveniles who run away from home. The lieutenant said it’s usually an older friend in the 18 to 25-year-old range.
Because the Oxford Township ordinance currently lacks the language necessary to charge the adult with any crime, deputies are forced to cite them under state law.
The result is two court dates for the officer – one for the runaway juvenile who can be cited under township ordinance and one for the adult who can only be cited under state law. Whitefield said it would be easier and more efficient for the officer to cite both under township ordinance.
Township officials agreed and voted 4-0 to turn Whitefield’s request over to the township attorney, who will draft the ordinance amendment, which must come back to the township board for approval.