Incident: Missing/Runaway Juvenile
Location: Wooded Area behind 4445 Franklin Blvd.
Case Number: 23-5871
Date/Time: August 26, 2023 @ 1000 hours
More Information: Public Information Coordinator | spdpi@springfiel-or.gov
Completed By: Sgt. Kyle Potter
Child: Chayton James Owings 11-year-old residence of Springfield
NARRATIVE OF INCIDENT:
On August 25, 2023, 11-year-old Chayton Owings was reported as missing by his foster parents. On August 26, 2023, two Springfield Officers located a male juvenile (later determined to be Owings) sitting under the train trestle in a large, unhoused campsite. When the Officers went to question who Owings was and where his parents were, Owings ran from the officers and jumped into the Willamette River.
Springfield Officers, assisted by a University of Oregon Police Officer, and the Eugene/Springfield Fire Department attempted to rescue Owings. After more than 30 minutes, Owings was rescued.
Owings was released to the Department of Human Services (DHS). DHS later released Owings back into the custody of his foster family.
On August 27, 2023, Owings ran away from his family again. Owings is missing currently – If you have any information of where Owings may be located, please call the Springfield Police Department at 541-726-3714.