ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A convicted teen murderer who sparked a manhunt after escaping juvenile detention has turned himself in, revealing the surprising reason for his breakout.
Josef Toney, 19, who had previously pled guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, was found sitting in the lobby of the Youth Services Center just 12 hours after his escape.
Toney, who escaped custody in May by manipulating a lock at the detention center patio, surprised Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office deputies by voluntarily returning around 1:30 in the morning.
Body camera footage shows Toney asking deputies if he made the right decision by returning. One deputy responded, “I mean you did not make a smart decision to start off but you made a good one at the end bro.” as covered by the sources of Yahoo
Toney’s escape and return were driven by a simple desire, as he told deputies he “wanted to spend a day under the sun.”
The 19-year-old’s unusual motivation for breaking out highlights a broader issue he faced while being detained.
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Deputies revealed that Toney had been held at the Youth Services Center instead of the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) due to bullying at the latter facility.
Despite his voluntary return, Toney is now facing additional charges for escaping custody. He is scheduled to appear before a judge on Monday to be arraigned on the new escape charge.
This incident adds another layer to Toney’s complex case, where he is already serving time for a 2021 double murder.
The swift return and candid explanation provide a glimpse into the challenges faced by young inmates in the detention system.
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances of Toney’s escape and the conditions that may have led to his actions.