Juveniles who escaped from center this month climbed recreation area fence, documents say
Nia Hinson
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Two juveniles who escaped from the Juvenile Justice Center in northern Boone County earlier this month did so by climbing a recreation area fence, court documents revealed.
Documents claim one of the juveniles involved in the escape is 17-year-old Ja’mez Thompson-Bey. Documents alleged that he, along with another juvenile, climbed over a fence in the recreation area and ran away from the center.
The two were later caught after a search involving several law enforcement agencies and brought back to the center. Initial information said the youths were being detained for charges of first-degree assault and murder.
A motion to have Thompson-Bey transferred to an adult jail was filed on Monday over claims he’s escaped from custody several times, though he is listed on the Boone County Jail’s online roster. A court hearing is scheduled for Monday, May 19.
Justice Center Superintendent Tara Eppy said she is not able to provide details on how the youths escaped because the matter involves juveniles. Eppy said the area where juveniles have outside recreation is secure.
“It is really hard to juggle that transparency with the rights of the juveniles and easing any concerns that the the the community may have in that situation,” Eppy said. “That is a struggle but we have really good resources, law enforcement partners that are willing to assist us.”
Eppy said construction at the center was already underway before the incident occurred to add fences to new areas on the grounds. That work is expected to be complete by Friday.
There are also plans in the works to have cameras inside the building switched from analog to digital, Eppy said.
Thompson-Bey is charged with two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action, one count of unlawful use of a weapon and one count of armed robbery. He was charged in connection with a November shooting.