If a committed child escapes or breaks release conditions, certain officers may arrest the child without a warrant, and a designated department employee may take the child into department custody without a warrant or other order.
Sec. 243.051. APPREHENSION AFTER ESCAPE OR VIOLATION OF RELEASE CONDITIONS. (a) If a child who has been committed to the department and placed by the department in any institution or facility has escaped or has been released under supervision and broken the conditions of release: (1) a sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable, special investigator, or peace officer may, without a warrant, arrest the child; or (2) a department employee designated by the executive director may, without a warrant or other order, take the child into the custody of the department. (b) A child who is arrested or taken into custody under Subsection (a) may be detained in any suitable place, including an adult jail facility if the person is 17 years of age or older, until the child is returned to the custody of the department or transported to a department facility. (c) Notwithstanding Section 58.005, Family Code, the department may disseminate to the public the following information relating to a child who has escaped from custody: (1) the child's name, including other names by which the child is known; (2) the child's physical description, including sex, weight, height, race, ethnicity, eye color, hair color, scars, marks, and tattoos; (3) a photograph of the child; and (4) if necessary to protect the welfare of the community, any other information that reveals dangerous propensities of the child or expedites the apprehension of the child. Transferred, redesignated and amended from Human Resources Code, Subchapter D, Chapter 61 by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 653), Sec. 1.007, eff. September 1, 2011. Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 906 (H.B. 3688), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.