Mark and his ex-wife, Melissa, claim their 17-year-old daughter, Malia, has been running away since the age of 13, dropped out of school in the sixth grade, and has become physically abusive to the family.
They allege that two years ago, 15-year-old Malia became involved with a now 35-year-old man — a man recently charged with offenses including contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor, strangulation, and possession of a firearm — to all of which he has pleaded not guilty. Malia says she’s defiant because her parents are “too strict,” and when it comes to her boyfriend, she says she loves him and will wait for him to get out of prison if he’s convicted. Mark and Melissa say they fear if they can’t get through to their daughter, she’ll end up dead. Can Dr. Phil help Malia?
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