ATASCOSA COUNTY, Texas – The search for an escaped Live Oak County inmate expanded Tuesday, three days after he got away.
Jake Childers was able to get away from deputies on his way back to the Live Oak County Criminal Justice Center in George West.
Law enforcement officers spent much of the day Tuesday searching for Childers in an area east of Campbellton near FM 791. The small town is 50 miles south of San Antonio. Searchers honed in on a 100-acre area after someone reported seeing a person matching Childers' description in the area on Monday.
State, local and federal officials are using dogs, horses and aircraft to find their man.
The area is covered in heavy brush and Live Oak County Sheriff Larry Busby said Childers is experienced in the dealing with the terrain.
Video from Saturday night showed Childers making his escape. Busby believes he may have been able to slip out of a leg iron.
Childers escaped through an unlocked window in the vehicle in which he was riding and also stole several guns. The Department of Public Safety said they are not sure if Childers is armed, but they are proceeding as if he is.
On Tuesday we also learned more about the suspect’s criminal background. He was arrested
last month in Austin, but sent to Live Oak County for outstanding warrants.
Busby also said on Friday Childers held a corrections officer hostage.
Officials say if you see Childers do no approach him, but instead call 911.