Since an amendment to the Youth Protection Law took effect five years ago, more and more young people are simply walking away from youth protection facilities in Quebec.

Last year nearly 1400 young people ran away.

However, officials say the vast majority of children in their care, about 79-per cent, never try to leave.

Back in 2007, officials adopted a policy of not locking-up children under their care.  They say it's not prison and in 60% of cases the runaways return within 24-hours,.