Cops seek public’s help to locate three runaway wards
Published:Saturday | September 2, 2023 | 12:10 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
The authorities are searching for three female wards of the state who escaped from the Homestead Place of Safety in Stony Hill, St Andrew, sometime Thursday night into Friday morning.
Missing person’s reports were also filed on Friday at the Stony Hill Police Station for the girls, who are aged 14, 15 and 15.
The girls reportedly breached a perimeter fence and made their escape.
A senior member of staff told The Gleaner that the girls were protesting and it culminated in their running away.
“They were on the washroom top, where we have a tank. We were trying to get them down. The police came and were trying. It was four of them up there and we plead to dem and one came down, but the other three were [unrelenting],” the staffer said.
The Gleaner was told that the girls in question are repeat runaways.
“They ran away from other institutions, but it’s the first from here. The ring leader is among them … . It is her third time coming here,” the staff member said, on condition of anonymity.
One of the girls who ran away was only taken to the facility two weeks ago.
The Gleaner understands that the case workers for the children have been notified.
“We had a rough night last night. They have been rioting for about two weeks now … for all kind of things. Some of them are unnecessary. The ringleader run away; she is the boss for them. It was about 20 of them rioting,” said the staff member.
The Stony Hill police confirmed that the wards constantly run away from their place of safety and have told the authorities to put measures in place to prevent a repeat.
The police, who are continuing their investigation, are also warning the public that it is an unlawful offence to house runaway wards of the state.