A third grader is now dealing with a criminal charge following allegations of making bomb threats directed at two schools in Ohio.
A girl reportedly created a fraudulent Facebook account to assert that explosives were placed within Clearview High School and Durling Middle School, according to the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office in a statement to local TV station WOIO.
Officials have yet to specify the timing of the threats made on the social media platform, but both educational institutions — along with the entire Clearview Local School District — were shut down on Thursday, Dec. 12, while the sheriff’s office and FBI conducted an investigation for potential explosives.
Authorities confirmed that the situation was a false alarm, and following a thorough search that revealed no explosives, normal operations resumed at the schools on Friday, Dec. 13, according to WOIO.
Authorities informed WOIO that the third grader, whose identity and age remain confidential, confessed to both the recent threats and an additional one made in September.
Authorities have reported that she faces charges for inciting panic related to her social media activity. At this time, there are no charges against her parents.
Alongside her criminal charge, the third grader was directed to the Hamilton County Juvenile Court Assessment Center, as stated by the school district’s superintendent, Dr. Jerome Davis, in an interview with WOIO.
Situated in Cincinnati, the center aims to prevent children from becoming deeply involved in the juvenile justice system, as stated on its website.