Three juvenile inmates have been apprehended after escaping from Echo Glen Children’s Center in the Snoqualmie Valley on Nov. 26.
This is not the first time that inmates have escaped from the juvenile correctional facility this year. On May 28, seven teenagers escaped from the facility.
According to the King County Sheriff’s Office, authorities were notified by a call from the Echo Glen Children’s Center at 33010 SE 99th Street in unincorporated King County that three juveniles were missing from the custody of the facility.
According to the King County Sheriff’s Office, the department along with the Washington State Patrol and other surrounding public safety agencies embarked on an “intense” search of the area. The search also included the use of K9 teams, Guardian 1, and drones.
By this time, one of the juveniles had been brought back to the facility, as authorities continued to search for the other two. The juveniles were reported to be 16 and 17 years old.
On Nov. 27, the three individuals had hearings at the Clark Children and Family Justice Center, where they were notified that they would each be individually detained as the court found probable cause for escape in the first degree, according to an email from Casey McNerthney, spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
No charges have been filed yet, with the charging deadline being Wednesday, Nov. 29.
“Pursuant to RCW 13.40.110(2) and 13.40.030(i), a juvenile can be charged with Escape in adult court or jurisdiction can be moved from juvenile court to adult court only in very limited situations,” said McNerthney in an email. “At least one the teens involved may fit that criteria.”
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