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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Urge brother to evict young boarder

Dear Annie: My younger brother, “Gary,” is 27 years old and lives in a two-bedroom apartment. I recently found out from a mutual friend that he is living with “Debbie,” a 17-year-old dropout. This girl quit high school, had a fight with her parents and showed up on Gary’s doorstep asking to use his spare bedroom. He reluctantly agreed to let her stay temporarily. On the second night there, Debbie decided to sleep in Gary’s bed, and you can guess what happened.

I love my brother, and he is the most considerate and straitlaced person I know, but he is very immature when it comes to the opposite sex. I was shocked by his bad judgment and asked what he possibly could have been thinking. Gary said he didn’t know Debbie was underage until after the fact. He worried about what Debbie’s parents might do. As it turns out, her parents were glad their daughter wasn’t living on the streets.

Debbie will be 18 in four months, but isn’t this still against the law? I can’t believe her parents are so nonchalant about it. My parents live out of state and know nothing about it. Should I tell them? Should I express my concerns to Debbie’s parents or just hope that Gary will come to his senses? – Disappointed Sister

Dear Sister: The age of consent varies by state, and even in states where the age is 18, there are variations on the severity of the punishment. But we agree that if this is illegal in your state, Gary could be in a world of trouble. Decide what you hope to accomplish by telling your parents or chastising Debbie’s folks. Then urge Gary to help this almost-adult find a decent job and her own place. Soon.

Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.