Lincoln County deputies spent late Wednesday night combing the area for a 14-year-old who slipped out of the Caliente Youth Center around 11 p.m., turning a quiet rural night into a countywide search. The teen was described as having brown hair, about 5'6" tall and roughly 100 pounds, last seen in sweat pants, a sweatshirt and socks. Residents were urged not to approach him and instead call law enforcement with any tips.
According to KTNV, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office later reported that the teen was located in Panaca and taken into custody after allegedly stabbing someone. KTNV noted that the victim was receiving medical treatment and that the youth was moved to a secure juvenile detention facility in Clark County, where potential juvenile charges will be reviewed by the Lincoln County District Attorney's Office.
The Nevada Division of Child and Family Services describes the Caliente Youth Center as a staff-secure state juvenile facility near Panaca that houses youth ages 12 to 18, with capacity for about 140 residents. The agency says the campus includes housing units, an infirmary and an accredited high school.
Officials asked anyone with information related to the incident or the facility escape to call the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at 775-962-5151 or the Caliente Youth Center at 775-726-8200. The sheriff's office contact is listed on the county's departments page (Lincoln County), and the youth center's number appears in public facility listings (Caliente Youth Center).
What Happens Next
Because the youth is 14, prosecutors and the juvenile court will now sort through possible charges under Nevada law. State statutes allow the juvenile court, after a motion by the district attorney, an investigation and a hearing, to certify certain juveniles age 14 and older for adult criminal proceedings, and escape from a juvenile facility is among the acts that can trigger that review, as outlined in Nevada Revised Statutes.
