RUNAWAY FROM ‘FIVE OAKS’ PLEADS TRUE TO AUSTIN CO. ARSON
A teen-ager accused of arson in Austin County, says he simply walked away from the Five Oaks Achievement Center in New Ulm, while supervisors were asleep.
The 15-year old left the facility early on the morning of January 18th, allegedly set fire to a nearby home, then sat and waited for authorities to arrive. The home was a total loss – no one was home at the time of the fire.
In a statement, released Wednesday morning by the Austin County D.A.’s office, at a hearing last week the juvenile pleaded “true” to Burglary of a Habitation and Arson. Judge Dan Leedy ordered the suspect into the custody of the Texas Juvenile Justice Division.
After an assessment, which could take up to six months, the suspect could be held in a juvenile facility from one year up until his 19th birthday.
Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Kourtney Estep says after he completes his term, he could be released or sent to an adult prison, dependent upon his conduct.
According to District Attorney Travis Koehn, the 15-year old had been Five Oaks for about two years, after time at several foster facilities.
Koehn praised the work of local authorities in the handling of the case, and was thankful no one was injured in the fire.
Earlier, Koehn said law enforcement officers have detained 11 runaways from Five Oaks, since December, who have committed numerous acts of criminal mischief and vandalism.