Three students missing from Eldora training school

DES MOINES - State Department of Human Services officials Friday said three students remain at large after running from the Eldora State Training School in north-central Iowa.

DHS spokeswoman Amy Lorentzen McCoy said the incident happened at about 7:45 p.m. Thursday when students were escorted from the gymnasium to their cottage. Five other students who also ran were returned to the cottages within an hour, according to a DHS news release.

Local police were contacted immediately to assist with the search for the missing youth, who ran into a nearby wooded area, the DHS statement said.

'We have procedures in place when such incidents occur, including contacting police, forming search parties and notifying family, Juvenile Court officers and area residents,” said DHS Director Charles Palmer. 'Law enforcement agencies continue searching for these youth, and we hope for a safe and speedy return.”

The Eldora facility has 130 beds for seriously delinquent youth between the ages 12 of 18 who were adjudicated via Juvenile Court mainly for offenses against a person, including felonies and aggravated misdemeanors, according to the DHS news release.

Eldora is accredited through the American Correctional Association, and the court orders placement there. Eldora provides treatment and educational services within a highly-structured setting to assist delinquent youth.