Teen arrested after threats cause two area high schools to close
1/25/2018
The Blade
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A 14-year-old Maumee student faces two felony counts of making terrorist threats after social media threats prompted officials to close St. John’s Jesuit High School and Academy and Maumee High School on Thursday, police said.
Police and administration from Maumee Schools and St. John’s are investigating the threats, which Maumee Police confirmed came from the same 14-year-old Maumee student.
A phone message from Maumee Superintendent Todd Cramer to parents Thursday afternoon said a minor had been arrested. Maumee Schools confirmed the teen attends Maumee. Neither the schools nor police released the student’s name.
Classes will resume Friday.
"We are thankful to Maumee Police for the quick resolution and continued communication related to this incident," Mr. Cramer said in the message. "Because we always have and will continue to put student safety first, we encourage students, staff, and parents to say something whenever they become aware of a potential threat."
A message through Snapchat, an image messaging and multimedia mobile application, was sent to students at both schools shortly before 7 a.m., officials said.
Maumee and Toledo police said the threat was generalized and not directed toward a specific person.
#toledopolice are investigating a threat made to @StJohnsJesuit. No students have been harmed. No threat to the surrounding area. Making terroristic threats is a felony offense. If you have information, please call Crime Stoppers at 419-255-1111. https://t.co/zKYjjZtLK8
— Toledo Police (@ToledoPolice) January 25, 2018
Maumee students were already on their way to school when officials learned about the threat. After police and school administration spoke, students arrived at the school and were accounted and then dismissed, Maumee Police Lt. Jeff Siebenaler said.
Staff Writer Jay Skebba contributed to this report.
Contact Allison Reamer at areamer@theblade.com, 419-724-6506 or on Twitter @AllisonRBlade.