Runaways Flee Facility, Caught Hours Later

Two runaways were reported 11:50 p.m. June 5 from the Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health facility at 225 Midland Parkway.

According to reports, the two males, both with a history of mental disorders, were found within hours of their elopement.

The Summerville Police Department did not release the incident report to the public until nearly 10 days later.

This is the second escape from the facility in as many months, the first occuring April 20 when four individuals eloped from the facility.

One of the runaways was 18-year-old Stephon Jordan, who just days prior to this incident allegedly punched a woman at the facility in an attempt to flee. The other runaway was a minor and his information has not been released.

The incident report from this month's escape does not state how the residents left the center. According to Palmetto Summerville, none of its residents pose a threat to the neighboring communities.

"No patient served at Palmetto Summerville has been charged for violent offenses," a June 14 press release states. "Our facility is a mental health/behavioral health treatment facility based on a medical model, not a correctional facility. Many of the youth placed with us have been the victims of neglect; physical abuse and other trauma as well suffer from other types of disorders."

The facility promises better security features in that statement.

"Recently, Palmetto Summerville received approval from Summerville city officials to install a new 12-foot chain link fence that is designed to prevent climbing. A contractor has been identified to begin installation of the fence. The facility currently has surveillance cameras located throughout the facility but we are currently in the process of installing additional cameras," the press release states.

In the incident report for the April 20 escape, the responding officer blamed the feeble fence around the perimeter for the ease of which the facility's residents freed themselves.