Inmate in custody after escape from Echo Glen Children’s Center

SNOQUALMIE, Wash. — An Echo Glen Children’s Center inmate is in custody after escaping on Wednesday night.

King County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Tim Meyer said the inmate jumped over the fence at around 8:39 p.m.

The escapee was tracked using a Washington State Patrol aircraft, as well as deputies and a K-9 on the ground about three miles away in the area of Borden Avenue and Ridge Street near the Snoqualmie Valley YMCA.

He was taken into custody after 10 p.m.

Meyer said the inmate will face additional charges for the escape.

The escape comes months after five teens had escaped and stole a car back in January from the facility.

Those teens also assaulted staff at knifepoint.

Four of the five teens were found eight days after their escape, but the fifth was not found until about three weeks ago.

The escape prompted the state to make major security changes to the youth detention center.

Some of the changes include:

• Electric carts have replaced cars used by security and health center staff on campus.
• Uniforms are required for youth in maximum security.
• A single point of entry has been established.
• Surveillance video system replacement is underway.
• The King County Sheriff’s Office will increase deputies’ presence near the campus.

A new video-activated security gate will be installed at Echo Glen. This comes after workers had tried to get the center’s current broken gate fixed over the last 10 months.

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