By Angela Hill

Group home site of break and enter

Jul 21, 2011 | 6:42 AM

One of the two locations of a recent, violent break and enter was a Prince Albert group home.

The accused, who is currently in remand, walked in the backdoor of the home at about 2:30 a.m. July 8.

The doors are usually locked all the time, said Susan Luedtke, executive director at Eagle’s Nest Youth Ranch, but in this case a staff member leaving the home had left it unlocked.

Two staff members in the home are awake all night and were quickly alerted to the individual by one of the youth who woke up, Luedtke said.

The staff kicked out the individual and called police.

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“These things can happen,” said Luedtke, but it is rare.

“I’ve had people come to the door and want to use the phone or people wanting help at times because they’ve seen the light on. But, we’ve never had anyone come in to try and possibly cause harm to someone in the home.”

Ministry of Social Services funded homes are in buildings that are fairly similar to typical family homes to create a family feeling, said Greg MacLean, director of residential services.

The risk of a break is similar with those in the rest of a neighbourhood.

“Most of the security provisions found in a group home would be similar to what you would find in a typical family home,” he said, listing bolts in the doors, locking windows and some of them have motion light detectors.

Sometimes youth will tell others in the community where they live and those people will end up at the homes, but it addressed by staff, he said.

In this case, sources have said, the accused knew someone living at the residence.

The youth in the home are doing well, said Luedtke with the support provided by the social workers on staff.

“I think everyone will be a little more vigilant after this occurrence.”

The accused is facing seven different charges including aggravated assault, sexual assault and possession of a weapon after breaking into a second home.

See related: Youth charged with two violent break and enters

Boy involved in brutal break and enter stays behind bars

ahill@panow.com