Sheriff’s deputies investigate weekend melee at Echo Glen youth rehabilitation center

The King County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol assisted Echo Glen Children’s Center with a disturbance at its facility Saturday evening, according to Jason Wettstein, a spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

When staff directed five children to return to their beds around 9 p.m., residents “engaged in threats and caused damage to the facility,” Wettstein wrote to MyNorthwest.

“The situation required the support of local law enforcement and state patrol, and was contained that evening,” Wettstein continued.

Report says Echo Glen center, site of recent escape, is understaffed, underfunded

A captain with the King County Sheriff’s Office, Tim Meyer, confirmed that the agency has an open investigation into the incident.

Damage to the Chinook building, a 16-person unit at the children’s detention center, included broken windows, furniture, and other items. The full extent of the damage is currently being assessed by Echo Glen.

“Echo Glen Children’s Center is currently concentrating more staff on housing units in an effort to ensure no further disturbance,” Wettstein added.

“Initial staff reporting indicates that staff followed security protocols, including calling in external assistance when needed. Beyond these initial reports, facility supervisors will also engage in a security review of the incident over coming weeks.”

I’m told there was a riot at the notoriously poorly run Echo Glen Children’s Center on Saturday night.

A statement is finally forthcoming but, unfortunately, the King County Sheriff’s Office is slow-walking any details despite this being a clear news story.

— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) August 22, 2022

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