30 teenagers managed to get past 16 guards at Woodland Hills Youth Development Center on Monday evening and attempt an escape, although recent reports state that 22 are already back in the center and 8 are still at large. 

Teens, aged 14 to 19-years-old, were said to have left their rooms at around 11 P.M. According to the Department of Children's Services spokesman Rob Johnson, the unarmed staff was "overwhelmed" with the commotion.

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Johnson added that there were fewer guards at night and it was possible the kids carefully timed the escape around this.  

The juveniles reportedly kicked the metal panels under the windows of their dorms so they could go out into the yard. The teens then simultaneously crawled out beneath a fence. 

The fence surrounding the center is said to be buried 8 inches deep. However, the delinquents found a weak spot and slipped underneath.

Some of the teens were caught by the police when they were spotted on the roads or when they came out from the woods. Others were returned immediately by their families to the detention center.

LaWanda Knowles, a relative of one of the teens who escaped said, "He broke loose, he was gone, but he's back now."

She added that the teen showed up at around seven in the morning and Knowles said that the he wanted to see his parents, sisters, nieces, and nephews that's why he escaped.

No injuries were reported in the incident. The staff immediately tipped the police and the Tennessee Highway Patrol the moment they knew some of the teens had escaped.

Police have released the names and mug shots of the eight teens that are still on the run. These teens are aged 17-18-years-old. Those who escaped will be taken to juvenile court so as to discuss escape charges.

The center was said to be more of a "high school" than a jail as it has a school and offers vocational trainings and career counseling.

Tagsjuvenile, Nashville Detention Center, woodland hills, escaped teens