‘It’s troublesome’: Teens escape youth facility, on the run
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — As police search for two teens accused of carjacking a woman at knifepoint in West Nashville, News 2 is learning more about the youth facility where they were housed.
The Metro Nashville Police Department said a 12-year-old boy and two teenage boys escaped from the Natchez Trace Youth Academy in Humphreys County on Tuesday, Dec. 12. It’s not the first time young men have escaped the residential treatment facility for troubled youth.
“It’s really hard and troublesome because we have to spend time and assets going out there, and it’s just something that’s happening and reoccurring way too often,” said Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis.
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Last December, five teens left the facility taking a staff member’s car, according to the sheriff. In the latest case, he said three boys — ages 12, 15, and 16 — jumped the fence.
“When they escape from these types of facilities, it’s putting them in a situation to where they feel desperate,” said Davis.
The trio reportedly walked about six miles to the Speedway in Hurricane Mills. Surveillance video captured just how quickly the escapees were able to take off in an SUV that authorities said had been left unlocked with the keys inside.
“There again, that goes into another story of why any time you’re getting out of your car, these markets, or getting gas around the interstate, you always need to secure them and lock them,” Davis said. “You never know who’s lurking around the corner.”
Not long afterward, the young escapees are accused of carjacking a woman at knifepoint at a Charlotte Pike parking garage. The Lexus the three allegedly stole from the woman was later recovered on Jefferson Street.
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Metro police said they took the 12-year-old into custody on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at the Greyhound bus station on 5th Avenue South. Not only was the boy wearing the same clothing, but he had a Lexus car key and a knife in his possession. He has been charged in Juvenile Court with aggravated robbery.
However, authorities said they are still looking for 15-year-old Noah Allen and 16-year-old James Turner.
“I do know that one of them is supposed to be a gang member out of the Shelby County area,” said Davis.
Natchez Trace Youth Academy is a 115-bed residential treatment facility for young men ages 10 to 17. The academy’s website says the men it houses may be court-ordered, aggressive, dependent or neglected youth.
The sheriff said he regularly meets with the facility’s leaders to address concerns, so they are prepared when a situation like this breaks: “It’s a gamut of kids that are in that facility, and there again, that’s what makes you worry about your community, and any time these type facilities come into your community, we’ve got to be mindful of that.”
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Tony Hatley, CEO of Natchez Trace Youth Academy, sent a statement to News 2 saying, “While our buildings are not locked, our property perimeter is surrounded by an 8-foot fence and our staff members are trained to ensure residents are safe, monitored, and accounted for at all times during their care with us.”
He added that the facility will continue to work closely with the Humphreys County Sheriff’s Office and Metro police to locate the teens who escaped.
If you have any information on the teens’ whereabouts, call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.
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