Boy, 13, facing two murder charges flees barefoot from court, triggering unprecedented manhunt

Child ran into woods despite wearing leg restraints

The child has been charged with two counts of first degree murder. (NC Department of Public Safety)

A 13-year-old boy facing two murder charges has escaped from a government building in North Carolina, triggering an unprecedented manhunt.

The child, named only as Jericho W, is believed to be barefoot and in leg restraints.

He was being held at the Cumberland Detention Centre but was taken to Robeson County’s department of social services building on 5 November.

“The juvenile escaped...around 12:00 pm,” Robeson County Sheriff’s Office said.

“[He] was appearing in court for two counts of first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon charges. The juvenile was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and beige [trousers].”

Jericho was due to make an appearance at court on Tuesday morning. Robeson County houses a juvenile court within its department of social services building.

A transport team from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) took the child from the detention centre to court.

Following his hearing, the murder suspect was waiting in a holding area, with two other inmates, a spokesperson for Robeson County’s Sheriff’s Office said.

When a person opened the door of the holding area, Jericho escaped and ran into a wooded area, according to ABC 15 News.

The child’s escape has triggered a manhunt on an unprecedented scale as officials issued a warning over public safety.

Jericho was arrested on 17 October in connection with a suspected double murder, according to WRAL.com.

“Division officials have a high degree of concern for the safety of both the juvenile and the public, due to a prior history of assaultive and unpredictable behaviour,” a DPS spokesperson said.

“Members of the public should report sightings of this juvenile to local law enforcement officials.”

The child was barefoot and wearing leg restraints at the time of his escape, a spokesperson for the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office said.

“The juvenile is [a Native American] male with brown eyes and brown hair,” the spokesperson said.

Officials have released the child’s first name and photograph, citing a North Carolina statute that allows for a minor to be named in such circumstances.

Detectives launched a manhunt for the boy on Tuesday.

“We currently have helicopters from the Bladen County Sheriffs Office, Brunswick County Sheriffs Office, US Marshals from Wilmington and Fayetteville, Lumberton Police and Sheriffs Deputies are searching for him,” the spokesperson added.

The sheriff’s office said dozens of officers had been mobilised and that helicopters had been deployed.

The search for the child was paused overnight.

Nikki Jacobs, Jericho’s mother, said she hoped her son would turn himself in.

“He’s 13-years-old and out here in the dark,” she said, according to WRAL.com.

“My baby’s out here somewhere, nobody knows, and he all alone and hopefully he is safe wherever he is at.”

“I just wish that he would come back ... turn himself in and get the help that he needs.”