A teen offender from Lafourche Parish who escaped from a juvenile detention center in Monroe is back in custody, and an employee at that facility is now facing criminal charges in connection with the escape.
State officials say the breakout happened around 9 a.m. Saturday at the Swanson Center for Youth.
According to the Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice, the 18-year-old from Lafourche Parish was one of three inmates who fled the jail. He and the other escapees, a 19-year-old from Calcasieu Parish and a 20-year-old from Rapides Parish, were caught, arrested, and booked on felony simple escape charges later in the day on Saturday.
State officials said their investigation into the escape led to the firing and the arrest of facility employee Makayla Kelly. She is facing principal to commit simple escape and malfeasance in office charges. Authorities did not say what Kelly allegedly did to facilitate the three inmates' escapes.
Officials say they have canceled visitation at the Swanson Center for the rest of the weekend because of the escapes.
