Bismarck, North Dakota News

" Amber was not abused or neglected, nor was she spoiled rotten. Her family loves her very much but have been struggling financially. She did get involved with some of the wrong people, much to her parents disliking. She rebelled and ran away. Her absence was devasting to the entire family. She did send a letter. The post mark was questionable. At that point, everyone was desperate for any type of information and the letter gave just as much hope as doubt. (Was it really from Amber, was she really OK.) I have a 13 year old daughter. She likes to break my rules. She likes to make me feel like it is the end of the world if she gets grounded for breaking the rules and I just don't understand. I recall feeling the same way when I was a teen. I thought about running away, just for the unknown freedom. But I never left the comforts of home. It is too bad Amber didn't think of the repercussions of her running away from home. "

" Teens do struggle a great deal in finding their independence, however, one would expect the parents of a teen to remain as available as possible once the child has left home. It is not fair to assume this child was in a rational, logical mindset at any moment during her struggle. She could have attempted alternate communication methods but why would her grown, responsible, loving, adult parents make themselves harder to reach. Choodette is right in that it is unreasonable to assume Amber came from a loving family and just made stupid choices. "

" The commments on this page are plain amazing! Choodette is obviously oblivious about the reality of the teen struggle for independence. It is not simply an abusive home that drives kids out on the streets! The most caring, nurturing, and attentive parents have suffered the nightmare of a missing child on the run. Amber has made the decision to come home; she needs support, love, and care. So does her family. "

" Are you people crazy? Obviously the girl was not living in a happy home if she chose to leave and face the unknown on the streets. Obviously she did not have a loving and understanding family if she feared their anger enough to stay away. Who at 15 can make important life decisions like that? I certainly could not have but was blessed with a nurturing environment, she couldn't have been. If my daughters disappeared you better believe I would not change my phone number. I know my parents wouldn't have either. I feel almost as badly for the children whose parents made some of these comments as I do of poor Amber. And as for "too bad the kid didn't realize..." How do you know what dangers she faced at home? Do you know her parents didn't abuse her? Imagine making the choice to leave. That had to be amazingly difficult. THIS is what is wrong with our society. "

" She now has a child. And she is afraid her parents would punish her for running away? Who cared for her and paid the bills? Im glad she is safe but it sounds like a poor excuse Mail a letter? Call the Moorhead police? Turn yourself in to the TX police? "

" Big deal if they changed their phone number, if she really wanted to get in touch with them, should could have called any other member of the family, or even driven to their house. Sounds like a stupid excuse to me. "

" It is always easier to second guess other people's motives and choices. What is done is done; the family has hope of the reuniting of the their daughter. It gives hope to other parents out there that are still missing their children who have prematurely left the nest. Instead of judging, we must begin to change the world we live in so that kids feel safer at home than on the run. "

" We are just happy Amber is OK and we now know where she is! "

" Who is to say what went on within the family, but if your child is missing why would you change your phone number? That is odd! Shawn Hornbeck's family still had his room exactly the same with his clothes from 4 years ago still waiting for him. "

" Too bad that kid didn't realize there are a lot of other and more serious dangers out there besides upset parents. Out on their own at 15 - their parents anger should be the least of their concerns, at least their parents love them. Poor her, what about the hell the parents went through all those years? I would imagine they pretty much gave up hope. It's wonder they are still sane. And she was worried about a little anger? How selfish. All that time lost, and things will never be the same. "

" It is unfortunate the parents changed their phone number. "

" I understand that kids are afraid to call home if they run away but they shouldn't be because if you do call home your parents are not going to be mad at you because they are too worried about where you are and that you are safe. "