Police Investigating Sexual Assault Of Girl Living At Davis Treatment Center
DAVIS (CBS13) - Police are investigating the sexual assault of a young girl residing at a juvenile treatment center in Davis.
The alleged assault happened on May 31 away from the center, say police.
The suspects, both boys ages 13 and 14, were taken to Yolo County Juvenile Hall Wednesday after an 11-year-old girl reported they held her down and raped her. Police say others were present, but their involvement is still under investigation. All three of the youths reside at the facility. On the day of the incident, the three left the facility without permission and were not under the supervision of staff, which is required.
"I think there is a concern that they aren't being supervised," said one neighbor.
During the course of their investigation, police also learned about other incidents of illegal sexual activity outside the facility. They also heard about incidents of fighting, shoplifting and theft.
"We've uncovered instances of alleged forcible rapes, as well as minors involved in illegal sexual activity," said Davis police Lt. Glen Glasgow.
Officers are well-acquainted with the facility after having received more than 500 calls for service in 2013 alone regarding its youth. Over 100 of those reports were of youth running away.
"Over the course of time, they have depleted our resources with calls for service," said Glasgow.
In order to prevent runaways, the police department met with EMQ FamiliesFirst staff and management and came up with a plan. However, the youth continue to leave unsupervised.
Neighbors of the facility complained to CBS13 of hearing screaming and seeing children running away into the street. Bill Kramer said a child climbed onto his roof had to be talked down by a police officer.
"Right in our own courtyard, hiding out after they've ran away," he said.
EMQ FamiliesFirst Director Gordon Richardson said in response to the incident, "We are deeply committed to the safety and well-being of all the children on the Campus and in the community. Given the ongoing nature of the investigation, we are unable to provide additional information at this time."
The Davis Police Department is working with the State Department of Social Services, the Yolo County District Attorney's Office and Yolo County Child Welfare Services to investigate illegal behavior and possible license violations by the facility.
"I think there's a security issue; they need to change their security policies," said Kramer.
About 12 children have also been taken into protective custody. Police say the investigation is complex because it involves several layers of oversight and minors who require great care during the interviews.
According to its website, EMQ FamiliesFirst is one of the largest mental health treatment programs in the country.
Editor's note: In an earlier version of the story, it was erroneously reported the alleged rape had occurred at the FamiliesFirst facility and has been corrected.
