December 27, 2009
Gary Davidson
Public Information Officer

TEEN ESCAPES FROM SEX OFFENDER COMMITMENT FACILITY

A search is on for a teenage boy who escaped late Saturday night from a detention center near Daytona Beach that houses juvenile sex offenders. The teen, 17-year-old Steven Bansemer, forced open a window at Three Springs of Daytona, climbed out and hopped over a fence. Located on Indian Lake Road, Three Springs is a high-risk residential commitment program for juvenile sex offenders.

Officials at Three Springs said everyone at the facility was accounted for during a head count that was done at approximately 11 p.m. on Saturday. At around 11:50 p.m., they contacted the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office to report that Bansemer was missing. A perimeter sweep by guards failed to turn up any sign of the teen. Sheriff’s deputies, K-9 units and a Sheriff’s Office helicopter were searching the area early Sunday morning and checking local addresses as well as friends and family members in an effort to locate the teen. Daytona Beach and South Daytona police also were assisting in the search. Officials also initiated a reverse 911 call to more than 200 homes and businesses within a two-mile radius of the commitment facility to alert residents in the area to be on the lookout for the boy.

Bansemer is 5’7” and weighs about 120 pounds. He has thin, blonde hair and was last seen wearing blue shorts and a white shirt. Anyone who spots Bansemer or has information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (386) 248-1777 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida, toll-free, at (888) 277-TIPS. Callers to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000.

Update:
Steven Bansemer was captured at 5:04 p.m, today. Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies along with Daytona Beach police converged on an area in the vicinity of Colfax Drive -- approximately 8 miles from where he escaped -- after learning that Bansemer might be headed there. After being spotted, Bansemer took off running and was quickly captured following a brief foot chase.

Bansemer will be charged with escape and resisting arrest and turned over to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.