DYA details how teens escaped facility

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Two male minors who escaped from the Department of Youth Affairs Friday night were able to leave the facility through an unsecured door and then scaled the perimeter fence.  DYA Director Tony Ada says an internal affairs investigation is underway to determine why the door was not secured.

One of the male minors self-surrendered to authorities and led them to the hiding place of the second minor.  Ada says it appears the two boys were hiding out at a nearby residence along Dairy Road, but officials haven't determined if the home was abandoned or occupied.  The director says the escape brings to light concerns about the security of the facility, the lack of manpower and an overcrowding situation.

Said Ada, "Here at the Mangilao Facility, we look everyday to try to enhance our security; from our last incident here we've increased it by adding additional gates, additional locks - magnetic locks - those are the improvements we're currently making here at the department."

The two minors, one who faces attempted murder charges and the other who violated a court order, now face additional charges for the escape.  Both have been placed on lockdown status.