SNOQUALMIE, Wash. — On Sunday evening, three teens escaped from the Echo Glen Children's Center in Snoqualmie but were found hours later, according to the King County Sheriff's Office.
The two 16-year-olds and 17-year-old were taken to the King County Children and Family Justice Center and are being detained after the court found probable cause for escape in the first degree.
This comes after seven teens fled the medium/maximum security facility earlier this year. The incident marks the fourth in a two-year span.
"This has to be fixed, like the status quo is not working,” said Senator Mark Mullet, who represents the district in Snoqualmie where Echo Glen is located.
The facility does not have a fence around it, but Sen. Mullet said one will be built soon. Currently, it is bordered by natural wetlands.
“I was surprised the first time I toured it, how open it was, and they explained that they have staff escort the students to and from class because they know it's not a secure facility,” said Mullet.
Investments have been made to the center to construct a fence, according to the senator.
"We did put over $8 million dollars in the budget, and that will get built next spring. So, we have to get through between now and then to get the actual fence built and finished, and then that facility will finally become secure,” he said.
However, some are not convinced the funding is enough to address the problems Echo Glen has grappled with for over a decade.
"That is also a band-aid on a much bigger issue, said Mike Yestramski, president of the Washington Federation of State Employees, which is the union that represents employees at Echo Glen.
He says the facility is dealing with a staffing crisis.
"The cottage where this escape happened was a maximum security which requires three staff, but only two were working,” said Yestramski, "... it is a sad situation all around because, at the end of the day, we are failing the community, we are failing these kids we are failing the state, and it doesn't have to be that way."
According to the Department of Children, Youth and Families, prior to Sunday's incident, improvements had been made to the center, such as the addition of contracted staff and more training. These factors they say helped officials quickly get the youth back in custody.