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Escaped teens still on the run from Jacksonville juvenile center

The search continues for three teens who escaped a north Jacksonville detention facility Sunday night after they overpowered a guard.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said 16-year-old Luther Davis, 16-year-old Derek Browley and 15-year-old Justin Silva overpowered staff members, stole their keys and fled the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Facility on Lannie Road around 11:30 p.m. Sunday.

Action News Jax learned the same security company also operates the Hastings Youth Academy in St. Johns County that has had a history of escapes.

That company now has a new plan to tighten up security at both facilities, and the Department of Juvenile Justice mandated an admission freeze at the Hastings Youth Academy during that planning time.

One of the changes proposed to secure the facility would be to move away from using keys, relying more on technology.

Action News Jax Law and Safety Expert Dale Carson says it’s time the company brings the detention center up to date: “Modern facilities no longer use keys except in very rare instances. Generally, its handled from a central control room and doors are opened based on a someone’s presence and a video scan of the area around them.”

Another proposed part of the plan is to put up wire mesh around the fence to deter or prevent escapes.

Carson says that’s an important feature: “Children can be very small. They are in custody, but they can get into areas, nooks, crannies that you wouldn’t think were possible.”

Action News Jax also learned not only will the facility get upgrades; the staff will also get more training as the action plan cited bad supervision as part of the problem.

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As far as the escapees still on the run since Sunday night Carson said it’s time to be vigilant. He said although they are young, their escape plan and criminal history proves they can be dangerous.

“They are going to be around areas that are known to them. They aren’t fugitives on a top 10 list somewhere, they are just kids. But they are dangerous kids,” Carson said.

Seth Caudill lives near the facility. He hears about escapes every now and then but he isn’t worried about them getting too close.

“Around here at night, when it gets dark, it gets pretty rough. The mosquitoes get pretty out of hand. Mosquitoes size of quarters. You survive around here at night outside, you’re going to be pretty miserable,” Caudill said

Carson said the teens are likely focused on survival.

“They’ve got to find food, they’ve got to find clothing, the very necessities of life," Carson said.

If you’ve seen the teens, call police.