“They have an accountability problem there,” said Winona Lake Police Officer Joe Bumbaugh as he was dispatched to a wooded area near Sellers Lake to help look for two more runaways from Pierceton Woods.

Sometime prior to 10 p.m. Sunday, a white 17-year-old male and a black 12-year-old male ran away from the juvenile detention center in Pierceton. Sightings of the boys started coming in to Kosciusko County Central Dispatch before Pierceton Woods officials even reported the boys missing.

As county officers were already in the Sellers Lake area responding to complaints and possible sightings of the boys, WLPD Officer Bumbaugh and his K-9 partner, Bron, was called to the area to help search for the runaways.

On Feb. 26, Kosciusko County Commissioners addressed the constant problems at Pierceton Woods and drafted a letter to Indiana State Representatives asking that they evaluate the facility. Commissioner Bob Conley said at that time, “We’re asking them to take the bull by the horns and do something so the people of Pierceton feel safe.” (See story)

The two youths who escaped the facility Sunday night reportedly made statements that they were going to go to a store in Columbia City or steal a car so that they could obtain guns. The statements, according to information that was dispatched, indicated the boys planned to then return to the facility to “take care of some business.”

Police were in the area of Woodland Lane on Sellers Lake, located south of Pierceton, searching for the juveniles.

This morning, StaceyPageOnline.com learned the juveniles, who actually escaped at approximately 7:45 p.m. Sunday, were taken into custody early this morning in Columbia City.

As of Tuesday morning, our call to Pierceton Woods for comment has not been returned.

See related stories:
Commissioners Address Pierceton Woods Concerns
Two More Escape Pierceton Woods
Neighbors Want Pierceton Woods Closed
Attempted Murder Charge Filed From Shooting
Man Shot In Carjacking Attempt