The 13-year-old double murder suspect who fled barefoot from a North Carolina courthouse is back in custody.
Jericho was previously arrested, along with 19-year-old Derrick Deshawn Hunt, and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of brothers Frank Thomas, 34, and Adam Thomas, 33.
The juvenile escaped from a holding area on Tuesday, Nov. 5, after attending a hearing at a courthouse in eastern North Carolina.
The child, identified only as Jericho W., stole a bicycle and rode to a relative’s home. His mother, Nikki Jacobs, picked him up there and delivered him to authorities late Wednesday.
Jacobs told WRAL’s Bryan Mims she was driving her son to turn him in. She said the boy got a bike in Pembroke and rode it to a uncle’s home after he escaped.
The child’s escape triggered a massive manhunt involving several law enforcement agencies. Robeson County Sheriff’s Office said he escaped barefoot from Juvenile Court around 12:10 p.m. on Tuesday. He was wearing beige pants, a white shirt and leg irons.
On Tuesday, Jacobs pleaded with her son to turn himself in.
“He’s 13 years old and out here in the dark,” said Jacobs. “My baby’s out here somewhere, nobody knows, and he is all alone and hopefully he is safe wherever he is at. I just wish that he would come back … turn himself in and get the help that he needs.”
The North Carolina Department of Public Service confirmed to WRAL’s Mark Boyle that Jericho was in police custody in Lumberton.
Jericho was transported by federal marshals to the Cumberland Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Fayetteville late Wednesday night.
