TWO MORE YOUTHS RUN AWAY FROM FIVE OAKS ACHIEVEMENT CENTER
Two more youths were reported missing from the 5 Oaks Achievement Center this (Wednesday) morning. The Austin County Sheriff’s Office reports that at about 11:10 this morning, they received a call from the 5 Oaks Achievement Center in New Ulm that two male juveniles that had run away from the facility approximately 45 minutes earlier.
A localized Regroup Message was sent out to residents within an 8 mile area of 5 Oaks, alerting them of the runaways.
Sheriff’s Deputies, along with Constable Dave Schulz, arrived on the scene about 15 minutes later and commenced searching the area. Austin County Sheriff Jack Brandes also began an aerial search for the subjects.
Various residences and barns were checked and the runaways were located in an abandoned house on Post Oak Point Road at about 12:45 PM. A second Regroup message was sent to the residents of the area, letting them know the subjects had been located. The two male juveniles were returned to the custody of 5 Oaks.
5 Oaks had reported two cases of runaways to the Austin County Sheriff’s Office earlier this month. In one case, three males escaped and were found in New Ulm. In the other, three females escaped and were found walking along the railroad tracks.
These facilities at least need a high perimeter fence with controlled gate access to protect these “children” from the lawless public. We don’t want some unruly taxpaying citizen sneaking into their facility and burning down one of their buildings. Put up fences. Protect the children!
None of us know the real issues, reasons they are escaping. What if it’s because there being mistreated and have been told if they report no one will believe them. Or as someone else said they can be suffering from a mental issue that has not been treated correctly. They just may be very angry children because they been taken away from all they have ever known and away from any blood family or friends. None of us know anything. Why isn’t anyone talking to these individuals and asking them why so many are trying to escape from this facility. They deserve protection as well. These kids were not born this way . Someone, something, trauma or abuse made them this way. Please someone listen to them and investigate every alligation. Gain their trust so they can open up about what there going thru or feeling. They are like us just wanting to have thier voice heard.
You are correct in that the general public has no facts concerning why these kids run away. That does not change the need to put an end to their escaping. While these kids may have been abused at one time or another, it serves neither them or society to be allowed them to continue acting inappropriately. One of the most common form of child abuse today (and in the past 40 years) is allowing kids to make their own rules, set the parameters for their behavior, and not being disciplined for unacceptable behavior. There is no question that some changes need to be made at this facility and they need to be done now. These kids need to know (1) There are rules (2) Violation of rules means there are meaningful consequences (3) Life is not always about their self satisfaction, not always fun, and some times monotonous. That is just the way life is for all of us. The sooner they learn that, the sooner, they can have a voice. If these kid were capable of making good decisions on their own, they would not be at 5 Oaks.
These kids that your talking about are basically wards of the state and really have no where else to go! They are at 5 oaks for help with their intense behaviors that’s preventing them to going to a less restrictive environment! Those kids didn’t ask to be put in these messed up situations that resulted in the right of the parents to taken away and end up in this RTC!! They are kids who are scared and trying to cope with being in a strange place, being abuse physically and emotionally, some fighting mental health, and dealing with aggression and rage! I work at another RTC and it’s sad that these kids have been stripped of their innocence and just trying to be regular kid. Some of them has had to endure more than I have as an adult and their only kids
Apparently there is no effort on the part of this facility to (1) Set firm rules in place (2) Enforce any ‘so called’ rules (3) Punish offenders. These kids need clear firm rules and a system of sure & meaningful punishment for violators. Weather they admit it or not, most kids need and want to know their boundaries, They need to know that overstepping will bring swift, certain, & meaningful punishment, Suggestions and “Don’t do that again”, won’t work.
One more time….this is what is coming to Brenham! It is going to be YOUR barns and YOUR residences being searched. This area will have to have an alert system in place, also. These are not poor, mistreated “children”. These are youths that are one step away from being locked up in juvie! How about all you parents who allow your little preteen children to come home after school alone – are you going to feel safe when you receive that alert and little Suzy or Johnny is home alone while there are escaped “children” running loose? Don’t think that these “children” wouldn’t stoop to breaking and entering or setting your home on fire while your child is inside. They would do it in a heartbeat and sit back in a lawn chair to watch! Keep fighting against this facility.
When is this going to change, this cannot continue to happen! Someone in authority needs to do something ASAP!