9 Juvenile Inmates Escape from Pennsylvania’s Abraxas Academy

Nine Juvenile Inmates Escape from Pennsylvania’s Abraxas Academy

In a startling turn of events, nine young inmates managed to escape from the Abraxas Academy, a “secure youth treatment” facility nestled in Morgantown, Pennsylvania. This facility, situated just a stone’s throw away from the Lancaster County border, has found itself at the center of a perplexing situation.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, these daring youths made their getaway at approximately 8 p.m. on a Sunday night, leaving authorities grappling with a challenging situation. These escapees, all juvenile-aged males, were last seen wearing white or gray shirts and shorts, blending into the night.

Robeson Township Police Department has issued a word of caution to anyone in the vicinity of Interstate 176 and Route 10, urging them to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity they may come across.

Police have confirmed 9 male juveniles have escaped from the Abraxas Academy in Morgantown after a riot broke out.

Police say they have now taken back control of the juvenile facility. Several agencies have responded.

Updates to come. @CBSPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/ERzrgqEuaV

— Marcella Baietto (@MarcellaBaietto) September 18, 2023

In this time of uncertainty, community support is paramount. Authorities are urging anyone with even the slightest bit of information to act swiftly and dial 911. Every piece of information could be the key to resolving this puzzling incident.

The Abraxas Academy, as described on their website, caters to the “Secure Residential Treatment and Secure Detention Services” for delinquent male juveniles aged 14-18 in the 9th grade or above. This escape incident has only added to the growing list of concerns surrounding security at such facilities.

This incident occurred in the wake of a string of escapes at Pennsylvania jails and youth treatment facilities. In May, inmates Ameen Hurst and Nasir Grant made a daring escape from the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center, managing to slip away unnoticed for 19 hours.

In July, Michael Burham orchestrated a dramatic escape from the Warren County Jail, sparking a manhunt that spanned over a week before his eventual capture.

August saw Danelo Cavalcante’s unbelievable escape from Chester County Prison, where he defied the odds by scaling a wall and pushing through razor wire. Cavalcante, a convicted murderer, eluded authorities during an intense two-week manhunt and even managed to steal a firearm in the process.

September brought more escape drama as a violent juvenile managed to flee from the Loysville Youth Development Center in Perry County, only to be apprehended later.

Former Pennsylvania Corrections Secretary John Wetzel weighed in on this troubling trend, emphasizing the dire need for more correctional officers. Wetzel highlighted the challenge of attracting and retaining qualified staff when competitive wages can be found in places like Sheetz. The evolving job market has left the corrections system struggling to keep up, making these recent incidents all the more concerning.