April 26, 2007 – Runaway minor Shawn Benjamin Jr. has been located and taken into custody by St. Croix Police. Benjamin ran away from a Department of Human Services (DHS) facility on April 21.
The 14-year-old Benjamin, a St. Thomas native, was found in the Mutual Homes community in Estate Grove Place at approximately 6:30 p.m. Wednesday evening. Juvenile Bureau detectives said the minor was clean, healthy and alert. He has been charged with contempt of court.
DHS authorities and Police searched for Benjamin and another minor, 12-year-old Leroy Simon, for several days after leaving the facility. Simon was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon and told police he was fed by area residents and slept in cars at night.