DES MOINES, Iowa — A teen convicted of killing her rapist escaped custody. The story of Pieper Lewis made national headlines when she was sentenced in September. Jerry Evans, executive director of the 5th Judicial District Dept. of Corrections, confirmed to KCCI Saturday that Lewis escaped custody at 6:19 a.m. on Friday.

Evans said Lewis cut off her tracker but was not sure where she might be headed. Lewis was 15 years old when she admitted she killed 37-year-old Zachary Brooks in Des Moines in 2020. Lewis said she was a victim of human trafficking and said Brooks raped her several times before she killed him.

A Polk County judge sentenced Lewis to five years probation and a deferred judgment.