can the cops pick her up and hold her UNTIL you can come and get her - make her wait and sweat on whether you'll actually show up or not? i don't know if they do that sort of thing, but i know the local cop here would if a kid was going feral - but he's a top bloke like that!

i'm not sure what else to suggest - maybe contact local youth workers and see what they can help with? i'm pretty sure, in Sydney at least, there are police youth groups that will actually work with the kids to get them integrated back into school at least part time, and then in external activities for the rest of the time - but at all times, while they're not actively in school, for school hours they're in "police custody" as it is... will see if i can get some more details for you later today

is it bad that i'm actually GLAD we live in the sticks out here - with nothing more interesting for our kids to do but to go to school? and i haven't even popped yet...