How to deal with this strange situation?

Here's the situation. I posted another question like this, but I have a different issue.





For the Sake of the story, The Girl will be named Beth, and the guy will be named Lance.





Lance is 17, and he's turning 18 in a few weeks. Beth is 16





Lance and Beth were in a long distance relationship for a long time. Lance decided without his parents consent to travel across a few states to meet Beth. Beth's parents despise Lance, so Beth snuck out to see him. They did not have sex, but they did meet for a few hours and hung out. Lance had to leave back to his home state, and at the last second, Beth told Lance that she wanted to run away from home and come back with him. Beth had already purchased the ticket, so whether Lance liked it or not, Beth went on the train back to the state that Lance lived in. Beth didn't have a place to stay obviously, so she's at Lances's house right now.





Is this Kidnapping?


Is something going to happen to Lance?


What will happen to Beth? Apparently she's been abused, with scarring of physical abuse on her body.


What if beth doesn't want to go home?


Is there anything I can do to help?How to deal with this strange situation?
Beth and Lance both are in big trouble now. Beth by her parents and Lance by the law.How to deal with this strange situation?
Beth needs to tell the police.





Lance may have to prove he didn't coerce A MINOR across state lines.





HONESTY is still the best policy.
She would technically be considered a runaway. If Beth's Parents know about Lance they can certainly send police that direction. If she can prove her parents physically abused her and Lance's parents are willing to provide her a place to stay it may be possible to get CPS involved and let her stay there.
Beth needs to contact her parents before they call the cops. Yes they can come and get her and force her to go with them. Yes you can report them to the police in their home state and have them investigated for child abuse. No there is no easy answer unless you want to be in a huge court case and take responsibility for her when she requests to be declared an emanicipated minor so she can get out of their house without becoming an in mate in the foster care industry.