AMERICAN FORK, Utah (AP) – Three pregnant teens living in a group home whacked the director in the head with a frying pan, tied her up and then fled in her minivan, police said.

The director, who was tied up with power cords Tuesday, eventually broke free and called police, police Sgt. Shauna Greening said. She also freed another pregnant teen tied up in the attack, she said.

The director said “she never had any indication that anything like this was going to happen. They were all sitting around doing homework before the attack occurred,” the sergeant said.

Authorities believed the teens – two 15-year-olds and one 16-year-old – left the state and a search was under way. Police said that besides the director’s 2005 Dodge Caravan, they stole her purse, checkbook, credit cards, cell phone and video camera.

The motive wasn’t clear. Parents of the girls, who are from California, Texas and Illinois, were notified, police said.

Privately owned New Hope, a place for struggling pregnant teens, is in Utah County, about 30 miles south of Salt Lake City. Pregnant teens are typically sent there by parents to get away from problems with drugs or boyfriends, and they attend class and learn about prenatal care, childbirth and adoption while staying at the home, according to police.

Owner Spencer Moody tearfully told KTVX-TV in Salt Lake City that he would close the rural home. He said about two dozen girls had given birth after living at New Hope.

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