Escapees from Echo Glen quickly found

Published 12:59 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

SNOQUALMIE – Two youths who escaped from the Echo Glen Children’s Center were caught after being on the lam for just a few hours on Friday, Jan. 17.

The center, run by Washington State Department of Social and Health Service’s Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration, houses juvenile offenders ages 10-18.

According to Echo Glen Superintendent Don Mead, the two boys, age 14 and 15, escaped around 9 a.m. between classes at the center.

“They just busted out in front of everyone,” Mead said.

The 15-year-old, who was in for child molestation, was taken back into custody about an hour later by center staff near a road that runs beneath a powerline.

The other boy, a 14-year-old serving time for rape, was found by King County Sheriff’s Office deputies about noon in a tree off Lake Alice Road.

Mead said the boys will be charged with escaping from custody.