SPOKANE – On February 24, 2024, at approximately 4:00 pm, Spokane County Deputies were advised of a reported Missing/Runaway Juvenile. The 17-year-old female juvenile had taken a vehicle from a family member without permission and was later found by a deputy in the said vehicle.
The juvenile had reportedly taken a family member’s car to go to school on the morning of February 22, 2024. She was declared a runaway after failing to return home or make any contact with her family by the evening of February 23, 2024, at approximately 9:45 pm.
Following the missing/runaway report, the vehicle’s information and license plate were entered into local and national databases, including the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). A Flock Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) later indicated that the vehicle might be heading toward the City of Millwood or the City of Spokane Valley area.
A deputy spotted the vehicle shortly after this information was broadcasted, conducting a traffic stop on Argonne Road near E. Grace Avenue. Inside the car, the deputy found the missing 17-year-old along with four other juveniles.
The additional juveniles were released to their parents at the scene, while the missing girl and the vehicle were returned to her family. However, the family reported that the juvenile ran away again on foot by 5:40 pm.
Given that being a runaway is not considered illegal in Washington State, the case was forwarded to Child Protective Services for further action.
