7 years is the statute of limitations on many tax evasion and financial fraud crimes, as well as many civil law issues. If I were a 'betting man' my money would be on them waiting out that 7 year period. 😐

When you sit down to write the letter-I'd just thank them for leaving you with such wonderful people. At least they did that part right. Also, thank them for teaching you one of life's greatest lessons on how not to treat people, especially your children. I wouldn't even waste ink asking why they did what they did, I wouldn't tell them how it made me feel, etc.... they obviously don't /didn't care. Then I'd sign it- "toodles" -and not give it another thought. Then I'd go horseback riding....

Who can go on "vacation" for seven years? Where does the money come from? Are they Spys? Secret Agents? What do you think?

Wow! Poor kid but so lucky too! Pete and May are angels. I’d love a follow up on this. Sounds like this girl is a good person raised by good people. Hopefully it all works out for them all.

Why does it take weeks to communicate? Hello 21ST century technology aka internet, emails, snap chat....like hundreds of freaking instant apps? I don't know what to make of this, way too weird.

Dear mother and father. I need to thank you for giving me the greatest gift of all, a Mom and Dad. You are welcome to come and have a short visit, but as I have obligations and a very fulfilling life, I will continue to grow away from you.

yeah its gotta be a crime right? they can travel to almost every country in the world but not back to the US to visit their daughter even once in seven years. That seems to me like they couldn't re-enter the US.

She had seven years with the people who are essentially her adoptive parents, and ten years with her original parents. Considering most people have no memories at all from before they were three years old, and even memories from around age 3 - 5 can be pretty hazy by the time you're seventeen, it's entirely likely that she has more memories of Pete and May than she does of her original parents. At this point they are essentially strangers. She's a stranger to them too--everyone is a completely different person at 17 than they were at 10. Her parents don't know her anymore, and she doesn't know them.

This poor kid. What a mind f**k for her.

If you really want to stay. Your "adopted parents" can file an emergency hearing to get permanent custody of you. No judge would give you back to parents who abandoned you, especially if you want to stay with them and they want you! Your real parents are not your parents, the wonderful couple who raised, lived, cared, and most importantly were there for you. My best advice! Advocate for yourself!! Do not go to people you don't know. You have parents, the ones who are raising you. I wish you the best of luck! Don't be afraid to hurt their feelings! They didn't care enough about you to raise you. You have no bond with them, do what is best for you, not the people who birthed you. In my opinion, they are losers. No way in the world would I ever abandon my children!! You know where home is, and that's where you live! Tell the court you want them to officially adopt you! Ask your birth parents first, maybe they will allow it, but if not get the court involved.

You seriously have to wonder about them being on the lam and riding out some statute of limitation situation, specifically taxes. If not, then this is bizarre. Fist bump to the friends that embraced this situation and gave her a life of fulfillment. If it was me I would stay put. Biology is overrated. I bond with my friends more than I ever will with my brother.

OP your parents abandoned you. They have no legal right to you. Enjoy your life!

Either they covered up being in jail for something Pete and May are also covering up ... or they were on the run to evade being in jail, and now, things are long enough ago to not legally matter anymore. I can't find any other explanation that clicks in with what information we're given here. How much has been hidden from OP, we cannot possibly know for sure. Whatever way OP decides, she won't be the A about this.

Your parents ABANDONED you! You are 17 years old, I do not believe they can force you to move back with them and if I were you I would refuse. What they did is emotional abuse. I'm so sorry.

They left their kid for 7 years. About the time it takes for certain "legal things" to pass the prosecuting expiration date?? It's really fishy. If OP is doing virtual schooling, there's no reason she couldn't have done that from wherever parents were. If her temp guardians want her to stay, I think she's better off staying with them. You can't just desert your child for 7 years and expect to pick up where you left off.

Cat Stevens - Cat's in the Cradle!

Girl, Pete and May are your parents now. The bio ones can be aquintances at best.

What in the ever loving f... Those idiot parents don't deserve to know their daughter. At the very least, she was set up with some good people who did a far better job of raising her than her biological folks ever could. Whatever the reason for them leaving for 7 bloody years, wanting to come back like that is a bit ridiculous, especially when she's closing in on adulthood.

My immediate thought is whether there was a 7 year statute of limitations for some crime they committed. Whatever the reason, totally NTA if you don't want to have a relationship with them. You have parents; Pete and May. The world travellers are just your egg and sperm donor.

nta. i was crying every day from the departure gate, when i had to leave my kids for 12 months for work! facetimed every few hours for hours till we all fell asleep, waking up with videocall still on! 7years i might as well slit my th****!

They could technically be charged with child abandonment. Even if they couldn't a child is not a possession that you can put in storage and then come back and pick up years later.

This is suspicious as can be. No one goes camping for 7 years leaving their child behind. Parents were pretty obviously on the run, either from financial issues, crime or both (is 7 years related to a Statute of Limitations?). What's to stop parents from taking her out of US to somewhere where she'll have no rights, can be abused and forced to work or worse. Chid needs a lawyer, an investigator and a restraining order. Guardians need a layer, restraining order and a formal No Trespassing order.

This is understandably scary and confusing. But some make very good points. I understand that you don't want to know anything bad about your bio parents, e.g. perhaps a criminal background, which is very likely but you already know that their behavior and actions are NOT NORMAL. It is already criminal in all 50 states. Bringing this to the attention of an attorney who can protect your rights, have your bio parents pay for your college, or find out the truth could protect you and your 'real' parents. You don't know who your bio parents are, what motivated them and who may be looking for them. Keep yourself safe, your 'real' parents safe and you do this by stop covering their shady behavior for them. The last thing a family court wants to do is take a 17 yr old out of a loving home, where safe guardians have been providing love, care and support for so long with the bio parents permission. You and your 'real' parents won't get in trouble. But you need to protect yourself from the bios.

I think the parents got into trouble overseas. They may have been locked up for sometime. Some things that would get a slap on the wrist in America, will get you caned in other countries. She writes she got postcards, but these days it is all selfies and social media posts. Anyone can send a post card for the parents. With their flaky attitude and history, I wouldn't be surprised if they got in trouble.

If anyone can find the link to this that would be awesome! I'm trying right now, I'm very curious how it's going for her. I'm hoping everything works out, and that her "parents" just agree and don't try to make her move back. Her real parents are awesome people who are so kind for taking her in like that and just going "well I guess your our kid now." Edit: found it! https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/comments/151vwae/wibta_if_i_told_my_parents_i_dont_want_to_go_back/?rdt=59653

In Australia you can live wherever you want one you turn 16 as long as you are not in moral danger... not the same in the USA?