Two of the four teenagers who made a dramatic escape from the New Orleans Juvenile Justice Intervention Center were arrested after standoffs with police in Hollygrove and Treme. Nelson Banks was arrested in Hollygrove and another fugitive was arrested in Treme. The remaining two refugees were still at large as of Thursday afternoon. Additionally, city officials provided an initial explanation for how the teens escaped from the juvenile detention centre on Milton Street near St.Bernard Street.
The two, who were involved in a series of incidents at a juvenile detention centre, were arrested after an investigation that lasted more than 24 hours. The facility has been repeatedly criticized for repeated escapes and acts of violence. In 2021, five juveniles who attacked staff members escaped, marking the second escape this year.In February 2022, a brawl involving eight young people occurred, resulting in injuries and damage to windows and doors, sparking another lengthy investigation.The facility continues to have problems and has repeatedly been criticized for its lack of safety measures.
Atkins was charged with the murder of Gregory Cotton and the attempted murder of another person on August 30, 2021, the day after Hurricane Ida hit southeastern Louisiana.Green has been charged with attempted murder in a separate incident since October 2022.
Bth will be charged as adults, District Attorney Hillar Moore said.Baton Rouge Police are working with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to actively search for the boys.Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Atkins and Green is asked to contact Baton Rouge Police at (225) 389-2000 or Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.
Juvenile detention centers have long faced criticism over a lack of safety due to aging structures.There have been several escapes and incidents within the facility.In October 2021, five teenagers attacked a security guard with makeshift knives, stole a car and fled.
Two teenagers also ran away several months earlier in July, but were later arrested.In February 2022, eight teenagers escaped, leading to a lengthy brawl that included windows and doors being smashed.Baton Rouge police had to intervene to restore order, and three teenagers were injured in the scuffle.
