Staff Reports
PIMA, AZ — On July 21, at approximately 3:46 p.m., local authorities were alerted to a juvenile problem after two teenagers, a 15-year-old boy and his 14-year-old female cousin, ran away from their workplace at a local fish farm. The pair, employed at the farm, reportedly left their job site with intentions of traveling to Phoenix and possibly onward to California.
The father of the boy reported the incident to law enforcement, stating that his son and niece had left work alongside another relative, a nephew, who did not join them in their plan to flee. The juveniles had reportedly discussed running away over the summer, initially as a joke, but later made concrete plans to purchase bus tickets. The teenagers arranged for a ride through a contact made via social media, and were picked up near a canal where they were working.
While en route, the boy expressed reluctance to continue, stating he wanted to return home and feared getting into trouble. Despite his hesitation, his cousin insisted they proceed. Another relative, who remained at the workplace, repeatedly contacted the boy, urging him to return, and ultimately informed the parents of the juveniles’ plan and their location at a Circle K in Superior.
Authorities from Pinal County located the teenagers at the Circle K and transported them to a nearby station to await pickup by their parents. The juveniles had intended to take a bus or train from Phoenix to an unspecified destination, with no clear plan beyond reaching Los Angeles. They had sufficient funds for food and drinks, but did not intend to contact family members in Phoenix.
The driver, a young adult known to the boy from school, was contacted by law enforcement on July 23. He admitted to driving the juveniles to Superior for a payment of approximately $210–$240, claiming he was unaware they were running away. He stated that he initially declined a ride request but agreed after further communication, believing another individual would also be joining them. Upon learning from a third party that law enforcement was involved, the driver offered to return the juveniles home, but they declined, and he left them at the gas station.
The boy later explained to authorities that he ran away due to unresolved family issues, which he felt were dismissed by his parents. The girl described the decision as spontaneous, motivated by a reluctance to return to her home in Tucson after staying with her grandmother in Pima for the summer. Both juveniles received juvenile referrals for incorrigibility, and the driver faces pending charges, including contributing to the delinquency and dependency of a minor.
The mother of the girl was informed of the incident and her daughter’s referral, stating she had no further questions. The father of the boy expressed a desire to pursue charges against the driver for transporting the juveniles.
Authorities emphasized the dangers of such impulsive decisions and urged parents to maintain open communication with their children to address underlying issues that may lead to such incidents.
