BETHESDA, Ohio -- 12-year-old Ryan Parsley escaped from the New Horizon Youth Center in Bethesda.
He was sentenced on two arson convictions out of the Columbus area, and it's not the first time he has escaped from incarceration.
Parsley was reportedly mistakenly left unattended, and he made his escape from the New Horizon Youth Center on National Road in Bethesda, a building that was formerly the Star Nursing Home.
He's a white male, five feet eight inches tall, weighing 170 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.
Officials say he's convicted of two arsons in the Columbus area, and this is not the first institution he has escaped from.
"Apparently he had walked away from the Franklin County Detention Center," said Belmont County Sheriff Fred Thompson. "After he was located--after two to three weeks of freedom--Franklin County Children's Services placed him here at New Horizons. But he apparently has a strong desire not to be confined. We haven't had any contact, any sightings. He's either got some friends helping him, or he's good at surviving in the woods."
Officials at New Horizons are not commenting.
Parsley was last seen wearing checkered shorts, a light polo shirt and high-top tennis shoes.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Belmont County Sheriff's Department at (740) 695-7933.
Or call the 7 News / Lautamus Tipline at 1-800-223-0312.
