4 schools locked down after teen walks away from Kennewick care facility

Four Kennewick schools were locked down Tuesday morning as police searched for a teen with a mental illness.

Edison Elementary and Highlands Middle School were closed at 8:50 a.m. after the 19-year-old walked away from an assisted living facility in the area. He reportedly has a fixation with kids.

As the search expanded, Hawthorne and Lincoln elementary schools were added, said the Kennewick School District.

Police found the teen and the lockdown was lifted at 9:20 a.m.

Students were allowed to enter the school, but weren’t allowed outside until after the lockdown was lifted.

This story was originally published September 10, 2019 at 9:29 AM.