72 Hour Hold

If an adolescent is in crisis or in need of protection, a police officer can place the adolescent at PORT. This  includes runaways found, or adolescents picked up at home. If the child tells the officer he/she won't stay at home or parents tell police they can't control the adolescent, the officer can place the adolescent on a 72-hour hold. Within 72 hours, the youth must appear in court with a social worker or be released. 72 hours does not include weekends or holidays.

A child may also be placed while waiting for another placement or when he/she has been charged with a crime but is waiting for sentencing.