I-Team: Communication Failure Allowed Accused Teen Murderer To Escape DYS Facility In Fall River
FALL RIVER (CBS) -- A communication failure and the absence of an alarm allowed an accused teen murderer to escape from a state-run youth facility, according to a new report obtained by the WBZ I-Team.
After an internal review, the Department of Youth Services is in the process of implementing new facilities to improve security and supervision at its programs.
"We take the safety of the hundreds of youth under our care, our staff and community members very seriously and will continue to make any necessary improvements to strengthen our well-established programs," DYS spokeswoman Michelle Hillman said.
On November 10, 2015, Alexander Mills escaped from the Old Colony LEADs Program in Fall River by slipping out a non-alarmed exit.
According to the new report, Mills took advantage of a communication failure among DYS staff members. The staff person responsible for supervising Mills' transition to another floor at the program did not communicate with the staff member on the other floor, the report revealed.
Mills was missing for more than two weeks. The 18-year-old was later charged with the execution-style murder of Donald Depina, a Vietnam veteran and cab driver, in New Bedford.
In December, the I-Team discovered that several hundred teens under DYS supervision had escaped from the state-operated programs over a four-year period.
From 2012 thru 2015, records obtained by WBZ documented 271 escapes. The majority of the youth returned within three days.
However, ten escapees remained on the loose for more than 90 days. Thirty-five youth returned to state supervision with new criminal charges.
At the DYS program in Fall River, staff have practiced monthly emergency response drills since December. The facility also added alarms to interior doors and are exploring additional security options that comply with the fire code.
At a broader department level, the DYS has enlisted a consultant to review all policies and security procedures related to its programs.
The department is also looking at ways to strengthen the response from DYS apprehension units and law enforcement when a youth escapes from a program.
The review will "determine if there are ways to ensure consistency, timeliness and prioritization of locating and apprehending youth who escape from a DYS program or violate their parole."
Mills is being held without bail on murder charges and is scheduled for arraignment on April 4 in Bristol Superior Court.
Ryan Kath can be reached at rkath@cbs.com. You can follow him on Twitter or connect on Facebook.
