2 more Kentucky students charged with making threats as incidents mount statewide
Two more juveniles have been charged with threatening middle schools, marking the latest in a string of arrests and class cancelations because of threats to schools across Kentucky this week.
The latest charges threats happened in Garrard County and Lawrence County.
In Garrard County, the sheriff’s office was notified at 8 p.m. Wednesday of an online post circulating that contained a threat to Garrard County Middle School.
Sheriff’s officials determined the location of the person responsible for the post, and a juvenile was charged with first-degree terroristic threatening, a felony, according to a Facebook post from the department.
The investigation determined the post was created and distributed after school hours, and the juvenile acted alone, according to the statement.
And on Thursday, Lawrence County School officials contacted Kentucky State Police in Ashland and requested investigative help after administrators received a threat to Louisa Middle School.
A 12-year-old was charged with third-degree terroristic threatening.
Earlier this week, a 16-year-old boy and 14-year-old girl were arrested in Marion County after officials say they made threats that, in at least one case, caused concern for schools in several states.
The students were arrested Monday and Tuesday in separate incidents in Marion County, Kentucky State Police said.
Marion County Public Schools canceled classes Monday because of that threat, according to a statement posted on the school district’s website.
School threats continued on Wednesday, as Adair County Superintendent Jason Faulkner said in a Facebook post that classes were canceled because the district, about 40 miles south of Marion County, received a “substantiated threat” on Wednesday morning.
Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. said his agency will continue to work with school resource officers, local law enforcement and school administrators to ensure the safety of all students.
“As a trooper and a father who has children in our school system, I can assure you that we will take any threat seriously and make arrests where possible,” Burnett said.
Kentucky Department of Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher commented on the string of threats in a statement Thursday:
“While we are concerned about the amount of time our students are missing due to these hoaxes, our primary concern is the safety and well-being of the students and staff members that are in our schools every day across Kentucky. We ask our families to talk with their students about the very real and serious consequences that can happen if they call in a threat against another student or their school. A threat like this can result in a student facing suspension, expulsion and/or alternative placements, in addition to the consequences from our justice system.” Fletcher said.
Kentucky State Police and Kentucky Department of Education officials urge parents to talk with their children about the dangers and consequences of posting threatening messages on social media or online.
Families should also speak with their children about reporting any concerning information they may come across on social media or online to an adult. Ensuring that any information reported is accurate and truthful is crucial, as false reports can lead to unnecessary fear and confusion. However, Kentucky State Police officials say this should not discourage anyone from reporting potential crimes or threats.
