In Montgomery County
• Five children are reported as runaways every day.
• More than 50 percent are between 15 and 16 years old.
• 62 percent are female.
• 25 percent of first-time runaways are younger than 12.
• 15 percent of runaways become involved in the juvenile justice system.
• 20 percent return the same day.
• 50 percent return home within 24 hours.
• More than 80 percent return home within one week.
SOURCE: The Montgomery County Operation Runaway Coalition, a group of government, health, school and police officials who meet monthly to discuss the county's runaway problem and to coordinate treatment services.
