Teen missing after being turned away by police

http://bringjameshome.com/

TAMPA - Fifteen-year-old James Robertson is in danger, and he's on the run because the system let him down.

Last week's 911 call to Tampa police from the Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC) explains it pretty well:

"We have a kid here in our lobby, says he wants to turn himself in because he says he stole his brother's girlfriend's car this morning."

But despite two calls to Tampa police, the cops never came. And James Robertson, without a driver's license, left in a stolen truck. He hasn't been seen since.

Why wouldn't police send a unit to pick up James?

"I'm not showing a warrant on this guy. They won't pick him up without a warrant," the 911 dispatcher told the JAC, as heard in the recorded 911 call.

James' father told FOX 13 he was "flabbergasted" by the way his son's case is being handled.

"I think it was a cry for help. He realized what he did and went to them, tried to do the right thing, but they turned him away," Mike Robertson said.

"I think it's pretty horrible that there's a lot of kids like James out there that need help and they're not getting it. They're just turning them loose back on the streets," added James' mother Maria.

The Tampa Police Department has admitted their mistake.

"We should have dispatched an officer to the JAC center to take custody of this kid," conceded spokeswoman Laura McElroy. "At this point, we're now conducting an internal investigation to get to the bottom of it."

The JAC center blames TPD, saying they have no arrest powers.

FOX 13's Warren Elly asked a JAC spokeswoman if they should have called the Sheriff's Office after Tampa police declined to become involved.

"I suppose that's true. My information, I don't think the juvenile stayed there long enough for that to happen," Julie Reynolds replied.

But James' family doesn't buy that. They say they've been struggling with the Department of Juvenile Justice for a year trying to get their son help.

A year ago, they say, James discovered drugs in middle school, and started running away.

"James is a good kid" his mom insisted. "He just hooked up with the wrong people at school".

James' brother Shawn told FOX 13 that his biggest fear is that he "might never see him again."

The family is desperate for help from the public. They say James is driving a black 2002 Toyota Tacoma Pickup with tinted windows, chrome running boards, and an expired Florida tag of W79DQA.

If you can help, call Tampa police at 813-231-6130.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

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• Police
• Missing
• Teen
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• up
• James
• Robertson

[spacer005]

I am his brother. There is a $500.00 reward, No questions asked for his safe return.

Please help bring him home...

[Soul886]

He was found on 5/06/08 =)

[dh88274]

2:05 yeah cus it's the state's responsibility to discipline your kids

[jrhomer100]

@lejink shut up its not about the reward i think that when people go missing that theres no need for a reward why cant everyone be a decent person who cares about people and not about money

[hondakawasaki125]

why do all americans soud like there taking the piss?

[lejink]

$500?!  lol iv seen bigger rewards for lost kittens

[royalcoat1]

was he ever found?

[thedalto]

Thats the police for ya corrupt and lazy, they don't do shit except convict the innocent and let the guilty run free

Cops suck their just fuckin criminals

[islandchef911]

That tampas best for ya...boy do they like to pass the buckk..

[Soul886]

Hey Shawn my DOB is the same as your bro =)

[spulunk1100]

hey miley i'm here 4 u omg!