Following the recent escape from Echo Glen Juvenile Detention Center, the King County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that all juveniles are now back in custody, marking the end of an intense search that involved multiple agencies and sophisticated search methods, including K9 Teams and Drones.
Initially reported on November 26, three juveniles, aged 16-17, escaped from the detention center in Snoqualmie. This incident prompted a substantial search effort by the Snoqualmie Police, King County Sheriff’s Office, The Washington State Patrol, and other public safety agencies.
The first appearance hearings for the juveniles were scheduled at 1:30 PM on November 27th at the Clark Children and Family Justice Center in Seattle. The court found probable cause for Escape in the First Degree for all three detainees – two 16-year-olds and one 17-year-old, ordering them to be detained.
In a notable development, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Drayton Miller, one of the escapees, with Escape in the First Degree as an adult on November 29. The defendant has juvenile felony convictions for murder 1st degree and murder 2nd degree in 2022 and an adult felony conviction for assault 1st degree in 2021.
The State believes he is a danger to others and should remain in custody. The State has requested bail be set in the amount of $500,000. This decision follows Miller’s previous adult charge in a separate case. See the charging documents for Miller here.
According to Washington State law, juveniles convicted in adult court serve their sentence with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families until age 21 or, in some cases, 25. Miller’s next court date is December 13 at the King County Courthouse.
Meanwhile, the two other juveniles involved in the escape remain in juvenile detention, with the rush-file charging decision deadline having passed on November 29 at 4:30 PM. One has been sentenced for two assaults in the past. The other also was sentenced for two assaults in the past with a firearm enhancement added to the charge and Murder in the Second Degree with Firearm Enhancement.
It’s important to note that the placement of juveniles, whether in Echo Glen or other facilities, is a decision made by Washington State’s Juvenile Rehabilitation and not by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The full case referral from law enforcement is expected soon, following the usual process after a first appearance hearing.
The community, while relieved at the swift resolution of this incident, awaits further details as the legal proceedings continue.
[Featured Image by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash]
