Youth Counselor Aids Escape

(Cambridge, Maryland) A 25-year-old youth counselor at VisionQuest Morning Star Youth Academy, Amanda Mae Beavers, surrendered herself to the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office to face charges related to assisting 17-year-old Charles Miller to escape last month.

The VisionQuest facility is an alternative all-male school for troubled teens. Approximately 45 ninth-grade boys live at the Woolford, MD, installation.

From WJZ.com:

Investigators say the boy escaped early on March 30. Beavers reported to work that night, but left an hour later, saying her father was ill.

On Friday, police say Beavers' mother called 911 and said the teen had been at her house in Bradshaw, W. Va., for three days. She told police said she was suspicious because of the boy's age and how he would kiss and hug her daughter.

Beavers and the boy left West Virginia after the police were contacted. But she returned a call from a detective and said she had dropped him off in Ohio after an argument. She agreed to drive back from Kentucky and turned herself in.

The "troubled" teen, Charles Miller, is still being sought by authorities in Ohio. In the meantime, Beavers was released on bail after being charged with second-degree child abuse by a custodian.

Notably, Miller's exit from VisionQuest Morning Star Youth Academy was the sixth escape in the the month of March alone. As a result, the state of Maryland Department of Juvenile Services is conducting an investigation of the facility.