Local News

WERNLE RUNAWAY, STABBER WANTS PRISON SENTENCE REDUCED

(Richmond, IN)--The girl who escaped from the Wernle Youth & Family Treatment Center in Richmond and stabbed a 77-year-old resident who lived nearby now wants her prison sentence reduced.  Savanna Young turns 17 on Wednesday.  She was sentenced as an adult to 15 years with five suspended last year as part of a plea deal.  Now, in new court filings, she claims to have had no parent or guardian present when she signed the plea deal.  Wernle was sanctioned by the state a couple of years ago after repeated escapes and fights.  According to employees now, the institution today houses only about 14 children.