Judge orders Vegas stowaway to remain at youth facility

A nine-year-old boy who stowed away on a plane to Las Vegas in October will remain at a youth facility, a Hennepin County judge ordered Friday.

When the boy evaded security at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, his father said that it was the first time his son had ever been on an airplane.

After the boy returned to Minnesota, Hennepin County officials filed a Child in Need of Protection and Services petition.

During a juvenile hearing today, District Court Judge Joseph Klein determined that boy is better off in out-of-home placement than with his parents while his case proceeds.

Senior Hennepin County Attorney Cory Carlson told the judge that the boy still has some struggles but is making progress in his therapy.

Klein has ordered that his family also undergo therapy. He set a trial date for Feb. 7.

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