NEW MORGAN TWP. >> A juvenile prison guard is in the hospital, and two teen inmates face attempted murder charges, after a foiled escape attempt.
It happened at the Abraxas Academy Youth Detention Center, 1000 Academy Drive, New Morgan Township, Berks County, Saturday around 6 a.m. Two unidentified male inmates assaulted the guard and used him as a hostage to try to escape the facility, according to a report from Pennsylvania State Police of Reading.
Abraxas guard Steven Davis, 26, of Fleetwood, Pa., was walking down a hallway of the facility when a 16-year-old inmate called him to his cell door and asked for a Band-Aid. Davis retrieved the Band-Aid and opened the cell door to give it to the inmate. That’s when the 16-year-old and a 15-year-old inmate rushed Davis, started assaulting him and forced him into their room, according to a police report. The door shut, locking them inside and the prisoners took Davis’ radio.
The two teens then continued to assault Davis by punching and kicking him about his head and body. They also tried to strangle him and said they would kill him. Davis convinced his attackers he would help them escape, in order to get them to stop hitting him, the report states.
A half hour later, the inmates allowed Davis to use his radio to say someone had to use the bathroom. When a staff member approached, Davis yelled that he was inside the room. Additional staff members were called and the door was opened. The 15-year-old exited the room first with keys he had taken from Davis in an attempt to escape the facility. The 16-year-old then exited the room with a pen held to Davis’ neck, threatening to kill him, the report states. He lead Davis down the hallway and eventually staff members were able to restrain both inmates.
Davis was taken to Reading Hospital for his injuries, the report states. Both teens were arrested and charged as adults with the approval of the Berks County District Attorney’s Office.
