DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A teen who pleaded guilty and was supposed to turn himself in to jail is now a fugitive after he didn't show up.
As Channel 2’s Tom Jones learned Monday, the judge allowed Yosif Elhmadi, 18, to go home instead of taking him into custody.
Jones contacted the judge's office to find out why he let the teen go, and the office said they couldn't discuss pending cases.
The teen was supposed to turn himself at 9 a.m. on Monday, but he was a no-show.
"'Just turn yourself in. I don't want you to get in trouble.' Stuff like that,” the teen’s cousin told Jones.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Police: 5 officers shoot at suspect at Atlanta apartment complex
- Family fears worst in Gwinnett County woman's disappearance
- State refuses to allow parents to use Allah as daughter's last name
Elhmadi entered a guilty plea on armed robbery charges last Monday and received a sentence of 15 years behind bars.
Then, instead of taking Elhmadi into custody, DeKalb County Superior Court Judge J.P. Boulee allowed him to turn himself in a week later.
Elhmadi never showed up, and now authorities are searching for him.
His cousin said he spoke to Elhmadi days before he went to court and pleaded guilty.
“I mean, he was chill. He was talking normal to me,” the cousin told Jones.
Now he hasn't seen his cousin and he's very concerned.
“If he's looking at this today, what would you say to your cousin?” Jones asked.
“Do the right thing. I want you to stay safe out there,” the cousin said.
Jones contacted the district attorney’s office about the decision to let Elhmadi turn himself in. They had no comment on the situation.