First he smashed his way out of a group home. Then he broke out of juvie. What happened next is straight out of a movie.
A teenage runaway gave officers the slip not once, but twice in the same night, kicking off a wild early morning manhunt that included broken windows, a busted keypad, a stolen shirt, and an attempted ATV theft.
👀 And yes—he did it all while dressed in orange detention pants and socks.
🕛 It started just after midnight when officers were called to a group home for a runaway. They quickly located the teen nearby and returned him—only to be told that before leaving, he had smashed a keypad, a window, and a fence post. Staff wanted to press charges, so officers took the boy to the Lawrence County Juvenile Detention Facility.
But he didn’t stay long.
🚨 Just three hours later, at 4 a.m., the teen—who was in the care of Scioto County Children Services—was gone again. Staff said he fled the detention center and was last seen heading down State Route 93 in his orange uniform.
That’s when the chase was on. 🚓
🛻 A passing driver spotted someone matching the boy’s description trying to steal an ATV near County Road 29. Officers flooded the area, checking ditches, bridges, and wooded hillsides.
👮♂️ At 5:50 a.m., an officer spotted the teen walking across the road, shirtless, scratched up, and holding his hands in the air. He admitted to crawling through creeks and hiding in brush—saying a trooper nearly found him in the woods but didn’t spot him.
EMS was called to check him out. His vitals were good—he was just thirsty and cold. Deputies gave him water, food, and a T-shirt.
🔒 But here’s the kicker:
Even after all that, no juvenile detention center would take him. Officers called multiple counties—Scioto, Ross, Jackson, and even Central Ohio Juvenile Detention—and all refused to house him.
So what happened? He was sent right back to the same group home he escaped from—Mended Reeds, in Lawrence County. Staff accepted him without issue, and the report was sent to prosecutors to consider charges for Escape and being an Unruly Juvenile.
💬 What to do if you or someone you know feels unsafe at a group home or detention center:
- Report concerns immediately to a trusted adult, counselor, or caseworker.
- Call child services or a juvenile advocacy group to discuss your rights and placement concerns.
- Don’t run. Running can put you in more danger and complicate your case. Talk to someone first.
- Stay safe. If you’re in danger, call 911.
And to the public: If you ever see a teen on the run—or someone trying to steal an ATV in orange pants—don’t ignore it. Make the call. You might help bring someone back before things get worse.