A teenager was found and arrested after escaping juvenile custody in early February.

 

On Feb. 2, Leonard Crosby, III, corrections officers were driving the 15-year-old from Olathe to the juvenile detention facility in Wichita. Crosby, who was handcuffed and in shackles, kicked out the window of the transport van and fell out of the vehicle near Lincoln and I-135. Crosby was found and arrested on Feb. 22.

 

Crosby was charged on Feb. 28 for felony escape custody, felony criminal damage to property and felony obstruct. “The detective said he didn't know of any injuries sustained during the escape,” said Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Lt. Nathan Gibbs.

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A Kansas teenager escaped juvenile custody last week and there’s concern for his health. He might be hurt and is considered dangerous, Sedgwick County officials share. 

Leonard Crosby, III, was last seen on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, when he was being transported from Olathe back to the Juvenile Detention Facility in Wichita. He was restrained in handcuffs, a belly chain and shackles, the Sedgwick County Department of Corrections shares. Around 2 p.m. that day, the 15-year-old kicked the window out of the transport van, breaking the glass and dislodging the door. He fell out of the vehicle -- as it was moving -- and ran through traffic near Lincoln and I-135; he ran west toward Lincoln and Hydraulic. Corrections staff searched the area and could not locate the teenager. They notified law enforcement and the 18th Judicial Court issued an escapee warrant, the corrections staff shares. 

Crosby was being housed in JDF due to prior charges he faces, including:

  • Aggravated assault and use of a weapon
  • Unlawful discharge of a firearm
  • Possession of marijuana
  • Aggravated battery

If you see Crosby or have a tip as to where he is, call 911 or the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office at (316) 660-3900.

LEONARD CROSBY, III

Missing from: Sedgwick County, Kan.

Missing since: Feb. 3, 2023

Age when reported missing: 15

Height then: 5’5’’

Weight then: 140 pounds

Hair: Black

Eyes: Brown

Distinguishing features: scar on leg; has a knee injury; tattoo on right forearm that reads "Blessed;" tattoo on right forearm that reads "Christinia." 

The Sedgwick County Department of Corrections has not had an escapee from custody since 2008. In the meantime, an internal investigation into this escape is underway and measures are being taken to prevent this from happening again. 

If you have information that could help the case, call 911 or the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office at (316) 660-3900 or the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (785) 296-4017. You can also leave an anonymous tip with the KBI by clicking here.

KAKE News features the story of a missing person or issue every weekday in our morning and evening newscasts. If you have a person you’d like for us to share a story about, please contact Anchor Annette Lawless at [email protected].