A move by state lawmakers to save money is costing law enforcement agencies in North Central Florida lots of time.
The Juvenile Assessment Center in Gainesville closed July 1.
Now, when officers arrest a child or teen, they take them to the Alachua County Jail for booking.
Sheriff Sadie Darnell says they set up a special area, because juveniles must be kept separate from adult inmates.
"It's a hardship, because it's an additional duty that was not anticipated and was not something that we've done in almost a decade," Darnell said.
Problem is: the juveniles can't stay there.
Officers must coordinate with the Juvenile Detention Center or return them to parents.
Darnell says the process can take up hours of officers' time.