16-year-old escapes from Sophia holding centre

The search is on for a sixteen-year-old boy who reportedly escaped from the Juvenile Holding Centre, Sophia, Greater Georgetown last week.
According to the Public Security Ministry in a statement on Wednesday, the teen, Leon Patterson, was discovered missing on August 9 when his mother went to visit him at the facility during the 12:00h to 13:00h visiting period.
An immediate search of the premises and surrounding areas was done for the young man but it proved futile. Security cameras were reviewed which revealed that one juvenile was emptying garbage, while the escapee was seen walking towards the admin building unaccompanied.
Another camera showed the teenager later exiting the admin building through the back door.
The relevant authorities were immediately informed and the facility was visited by A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) Commander Marlon Chapman and other officers of the Guyana Police Force where they took statements. In addition, a search of the Sophia area was immediately done by Police ranks from A and C Divisions but the teenager was nowhere to be found. When contacted, Chapman told Guyana Times that the teen is yet to be found. He noted that they had received some information but were unable to verify same. Nevertheless, authorities are asking anyone with information that can lead to the recapture of 16-year-old Leon Patterson to contact the nearest Police Station.