A juvenile briefly escaped custody Tuesday during a secure transport operation in Montrose, according to a statement from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities say the individual kicked out the back window of a transport vehicle—an operation not affiliated with the Sheriff’s Office—and fled on foot.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies, with assistance from neighboring law enforcement agencies, responded swiftly and located the juvenile a short time later. The individual was safely returned to custody without any reported injuries.
The Sheriff’s Office has launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape. The juvenile now faces additional charges related to the incident, officials said.
“There is no risk to the public at this time,” Sheriff Vandenberg stated in the release, adding that the office remains committed to public safety and accountability while working to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Due to state and federal privacy laws, no further details about the juvenile or the ongoing investigation are being released. The Sheriff’s Office also emphasized that a charge is merely an accusation and that the juvenile is presumed innocent until proven guilty.