Two juveniles slipped away from a group home early in the morning — but their escape didn’t last long.
Before search teams could fully mobilize, the situation took an unexpected turn… involving a nearby property and an ATV.
According to a report from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to the NECCO Center for Boys in Pedro after staff reported two juveniles, ages 14 and 12, had run away from the facility.
Staff told deputies the pair were last seen heading off the southeast side of the property and into a heavily wooded area. Deputies began gathering information and coordinating with the fire department to assist in a search due to the terrain and distance the juveniles could potentially cover.
While planning the search, dispatch advised that a caller reported the two boys had been located at a nearby residence — in the same direction they were last seen traveling.
Deputies responded to the home along with group home staff and the fire department. Upon arrival, the juveniles were found safe in the yard.
According to the homeowner, the boys had been attempting to start an ATV on the property when he intervened. He was able to talk them into coming inside the home, where he gave them food and kept them there until help arrived.
The juveniles were then returned to the facility without further incident.
A Growing Pattern
While this incident ended safely, it reflects a broader concern in the community.
Similar situations in recent months have involved:
- Runaways from the same facility
- Attempts to access or take vehicles
- Searches requiring significant law enforcement and emergency resources
Each incident raises the same questions:
- How far can juveniles travel before being found?
- What risks are they taking — or creating — along the way?
- And how often are nearby residents unexpectedly pulled into the situation?
This Time…
No one was hurt.
No property was taken.
And the search ended before it truly began.
