PURPOSE: The purpose of this rule is to establish formal procedures to be followed when a youth runs away from a residential facility of the division or when s/he is on runaway status and is apprehended. It is recognized that local procedures followed in these circumstances vary from facility-to-facility. Each facility shall write procedures which can be logically and consistently followed. This policy covers only those actions that should be taken by all the facilities.

1. (1) These procedures are to be followed in the case of runaways.

   1. (A) Immediately upon the discovery and verification that a youth has run away, the premises shall be secured and an immediate search will be conducted. The local police shall be notified and given the information necessary to help locate the youth.
   2. (B) Upon apprehension or return to replacement the case will be reassessed and necessary treatment intervention made and documented.
   3. (C) If the youth is not apprehended during the initial search period, then the need for a pickup and detention warrant will be ascertained.
   4. (D) A critical incident report shall be prepared by the site supervisor or service coordinator. Upon apprehension, the pickup order/warrant will be canceled and notification given to appropriate local law enforce- 13 CSR 110-2

ment, local juvenile officer, parent/guardian and service coordinator.

1. (E) If the youth is not apprehended or does not return within fourteen (14) days, the youth will be placed on the inactive roll by the Division of Data Processing until apprehension or appropriate discharge.
2. (F) In the event the youth is not apprehended, has reached age seventeen (17), and has been on runaway status for six (6) consecutive months, the service coordinator shall recommend discharge.

1. (2) These procedures are to be followed when a youth absconds from aftercare.

   1. (A) Upon notification that a youth has absconded, the service coordinator shall assess the immediate situation, consulting with parents or guardians and the service coordinator’s supervisor to determine the necessary intervention. Upon completion of the assessment, if appropriate, a pickup order/warrant shall be issued.
   2. (B) Upon apprehension or return to placement, the case will be reassessed and necessary treatment intervention documented.
   3. (C) If the youth is apprehended before central office has been notified of the runaway, this fact should be indicated on the report. If the youth was not apprehended and central office was notified, then a follow-up report should be sent to the appropriate supervisor indicating the youth is back in DYS custody.
   4. (D) In the event a pickup order/warrant was issued, a letter will be sent to officially cancel the pickup order/warrant.
   5. (E) In those cases where written documents were forwarded to the various officials, these documents shall be rescinded with the written document, that is, if a letter was forwarded to the parents to notify them of the youth’s abscondence, a letter will also be sent to notify them that the youth has been apprehended.
   6. (F) In the event a youth is not apprehended, has reached age seventeen (17) and has been on abscondence status for three (3) consecutive months, the service coordinator shall recommend discharge of the youth.

AUTHORITY: section 219.036, RSMo 1994.* Original rule filed Dec. 30, 1975, effective Jan. 9, 1976. Amended: Filed Feb. 10, 2000, effective Aug. 30, 2000. *Original authority: 219.036, RSMo 1975, amended 1993.