Police: Outside influences driving teens to run away

As police appeal for the return of missing teens Jahsmine Ebanks and Shania Beckford, they say they believe outside influences are behind repeated disappearances of the two girls.

Ebanks and Beckford, both 15, were reported missing around 11am on Sunday, 26 March, and remain unaccounted for at the time of publication.

Over the last month, these girls have repeatedly gone missing.

Police, in response to Cayman Compass queries on whether there has been any investigation into why these girls are absconding, directed queries to the Ministry of Social Development, which has responsibility for the Department of Children and Family Services.

We are awaiting a reply from the ministry.

Calls for community support

The RCIPS, however, says when it comes to the recent repeat cases of the missing girls, police “have reason to believe that there are outside influences that are luring or enticing these young persons to abscond from the safety of their residence and in some cases, their school”.

The girls, police said in its emailed statement to the Compass, are vulnerable and they need the community’s support.

“It is important that as a community we speak up and report any information that may help the police to identify any persons that may be harbouring these vulnerable young people,” police said.

It is understood the girls reside at the Frances Bodden Children’s Home. Police have asked for the public’s compassion and support when it comes to the two teens.

“Often the reasons behind behavior can be sensitive and complex, and a quick fix solution is not appropriate or realistic. The police will continue to work with the relevant agencies to support the safety of these young people,” police said.

Habouring young people an offence

There have been questions as to the security at the home and how the girls keep managing to abscond.

However, police explained, that currently there isn’t a “bespoke facility” that provides security to prevent residents leaving.

“The law provides for a care facility and not a detention facility. As it is not an adult facility there is no security at the premises. We suggest you speak with the home or the governing body of the home to address this question further, as the security of the home is not a police matter,” police told the Compass.

Given the time and money spent by the police in searching for the missing girls, including the recent deployment of the police helicopter and Coast Guard, questions have been raised about considering offences like wasteful employment of police time as a deterrent.

However, police said, the “welfare and wellbeing of the child will always be paramount and criminalizing the child is not considered best practice or appropriate”.

Police added, “Absconding from a residence is not a criminal offence. However, if the police were to find evidence of any criminal activity committed in relation to the absconders or any persons that may be associating with them or harboring them, the police would respond appropriately.”

In appealing for the return of the missing girls, the police noted that anyone who harbours or conceals a young person is guilty of an offence and is liable, on conviction, to being fined $2,000 and imprisonment for three months.

“Police want to advise the public to remember that these are vulnerable juveniles and that their safety and wellbeing is of paramount importance,” police said in the email.

Police have asked that anyone with information on the girls’ whereabouts or circumstances, to contact the West Bay Police Station at 949-3999, the MASH Unit at 649-6000, DCFS at 949-0290, or to call 911.