Baltimore boy escapes from youth facility

September 03, 1997

A 17-year-old Baltimore boy with a history of drug convictions escaped early Sunday from the Juvenile Holdover Facility on Jonathan Street after choking a lone female guard and taking the key, police said.

Kare Olson was grabbed from behind, forced to the floor and then punched in the face during the 7:30 a.m. Sunday escape, according to Maryland State Police Trooper Kim Barnes.

Olson, who let the teen out to use the bathroom, didn't seek medical attention, Barnes said.

The youth was arrested Aug. 28 on a new drug charge, according to Billy Ware, a Department of Juvenile Justice worker.

"I flagged this boy's file that he was dangerous," Ware said. He also noted that the teen should have been taken within 48 hours to the Noyes Detention Center in Rockville, Md., to await trial.

Bob Weaver, director of the Department of Juvenile Justice in Washington County, said 72 hours of local detention is acceptable.

He said transportation to other institutions can be difficult to secure at times, noting that the Hagerstown juvenile facility serves Garrett, Allegany and Washington counties.

The youth is described as black, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 135 pounds, with a tall Afro haircut. He was wearing an orange T-shirt with the words "Erupt Sports" on it, and blue jeans.

Barnes said he may have left the area in a 1987 burgundy Hyundai or a green Mitsubishi Mirage with Pennsylvania tags.

- Marlo Barnhart

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