In re the Dependency of A.N.

This case involves a juvenile court struggling within its statutory bounds to address the needs of a 16-year-old dependent child who repeatedly runs from treatment facilities. The court ordered the State to place the child in a locked facility, reasoning it was authorized to do so by a licensing statute and because the child consented. The court’s reliance on the statute and child’s waiver is, however, misplaced. Because we conclude that courts have no authority to place dependent children in locked facilities, we reverse.

FACTS

There is no dispute that A.N. requires intensive inpatient…