Teen runs away twice in one week

NOW: Teen runs away twice in one week
NEXT:

SOUTH BEND, Ind.- The South Bend Police Department asked the community for their help in locating Alliyah Taber who went missing on Tuesday. She was found safe not long after ABC57's story aired Wednesday at 6 p.m.

The Youth Services Bureau, an organization that deals with runways, explains what happens in situations similar to this one.

“Because we have such a close relationship with the police department, if we had a young person who was staying at the emergency center that would be something that is immediately communicated,” says Christina McGovern, Director of Development and Marketing for YSB.

She says there are over 100 safe spaces runaways can end up in in St. Joseph County.

“The police department is a safe place, all fire departments, library, Burger King, Martins, many locations throughout St. Joe County,” says McGovern.

According to South Bend Police, this wasn't the first time Taber has disappeared. On October 16th she was found and went missing again a day later.

YSB has the only emergency youth center in the county.

“The shelter accommodates 8 youth at a time and we’re there 24/7,” says McGovern.

Thanks to federal and state grants, YSB is able to not only help hundreds of youth, but also provide them with resources they need.

“We have over 200 people that go through shelter every year,” says McGovern. “There would of course be specific protocol for any young person that has medical condition but it would be on a case by case basis.

Share this article: