Plane-hopping 11-year-old runaway to remain in detention facility

A Pierce County judge ruled Thursday that an 11-year-old plane-hopping runaway will remain in detention until questions about his mental health and family life have been answered.

Superior Court Judge Frank Cuthbertson said Semaj Booker, who has been in Remann Hall since he was arrested for residential burglary on July 5, should remain in detention at least until a mental-health evaluation is completed and he hears more about the boy's family life.

Semaj could be in detention until his next court hearing, scheduled for July 31, although the judge said it's possible the boy could be released earlier if the reports come in next week, according to juvenile prosecutor Fred Wist. The competency hearing will determine whether the boy knows the difference between right and wrong.

Semaj first made headlines in 2007 when he walked through security at Sea-Tac International Airport and conned his way onto a plane bound for Texas.

At that time, he was already known to police and prosecutors for stealing a neighbor's running car and leading police on a high-speed chase, but officials at Remann Hall said he was too young to be in the detention center.

He was put on probation in connection with the car theft, but in May he again ran away from home and tried to board another plane at Sea-Tac.

Three weeks later, Semaj was arrested on investigation of residential burglary and making false statements to a public servant after he allegedly broke into a neighbor's home at night.

Wist said Semaj could be charged with malicious mischief in the destruction of a mattress on Monday while in detention. The mattress will cost $175 to replace, Wist said.

Christine Clarridge: 206-464-8983 or cclarridge@seattletimes.com