MANSFIELD, Ohio – A 15-year-old male student was found delinquent for inducing panic by issuing a bomb threat against Madison High School in October 2015.
The juvenile spoke softly but firmly to Judge Ron Spon at Richland County Juvenile Court on Tuesday, saying he was sorry for “doing the wrong thing.” His status as a juvenile protects his identity.
“Was it worth it?” Judge Spon asked the young man, standing thin but tall in his courtroom.
“No sir,” the juvenile responded.
Spon sentenced the juvenile to 90 days in detention that would be suspended, and community control including extensive probation and random drug testing until the age of 21. The judge ordered the juvenile not to communicate any threats or suggestion of threats written or otherwise, and to not be on the property of Madison High School. The juvenile was expelled from the school. He was also ordered to pen an apology letter addressed to the Madison High School principal and student body.
Spon noted the juvenile would be placed on the “reverse diversion track” where if he performs extraordinarily well moving forward, he will be eligible for the court to reverse the finding of delinquency. This prevents juveniles from being saddled with criminal charges for the rest of their lives.
“That will be in play to give you something to aim for,” Spon said.
The inducing panic charge stems from an incident on Oct. 22, 2015. According to Spon, the juvenile wrote on a piece of paper that he was going to “blow the school up,” and dropped the paper onto the school’s main staircase.
“I was just being goofy and trying to get out of school,” the juvenile said.
Madison High School’s security cameras caught the juvenile’s activity on camera, and 20 minutes later he was brought to the school’s administrative offices for questioning. After initially denying his involvement, the juvenile eventually admitted to writing the threatening note.
That incident marked the third bomb threat at Madison High School in as many weeks. The first threat came on Oct. 6 from a 16-year-old female student who threatened a bombing and a shooting on a note that was passed under a teacher’s door. The high school was evacuated for students’ safety.
The second threat occurred on Oct. 14 when a pair of eerie 911 calls led to all Madison Local Schools buildings being evacuated, affecting approximately 3,200 students and 500 adults. According to Madison Superintendent Lee Kaple and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, it was the first time in recent memory that an entire north central Ohio school district was evacuated.
The juvenile stated in court Tuesday that he dropped the note because he heard from a teacher that school would be cancelled for a few weeks if there was another threat. Madison High School was not evacuated after his threat was discovered and neutralized.
The juvenile’s attorney John O’Donnell described his client as “normally pretty intelligent,” and claimed he did not think of the consequences when he made the threat.
“I think he’s a good kid,” said O’Donnell.
However, the prosecution argued that the juvenile did know the potential consequences of his actions due to the fact that he initially denied making the threat.
“He knew his actions were serious because he knew to lie, and to stand there and say he wasn’t thinking and didn’t know is not accurate,” argued Assistant Prosecutor Melissa Angst. “This was part of a long series of threats against Madison, and he was well aware of the threats and still made the decision to make the threat.”
The juvenile admitted in court that he initially denied writing the threatening note because he “knew it was a big deal” and that he’d get into trouble. Spon commended the juvenile for eventually owning up to the truth.
“Even when it’s difficult to tell the truth, it’s so very important,” Spon said.
Spon acknowledged the juvenile comes from a rough background, having grown up in foster care due to both parents serving significant time in prison. The juvenile was accompanied in court by his mother and grandmother, who is his legal guardian.
“When I look at the totality of his life, it’s a wonder he’s done as well as he’s done,” Spon said. “He had a momentary act of a very poor choice that has cost him a lot already.”
The juvenile has served 35 days in detention at the Richland County Juvenile Court’s detention center, and said he realizes how he likes being in school. He has enrolled in ECOT (an online school).
“I did not like my time in detention, but it helped me understand I’d rather be out with my parents to do what I want and take showers when I want,” the juvenile said.
Spon ordered the juvenile to participate in a number of positive youth programs moving forward, including the “Dream Team” with Family Life Counseling with the goal of inspiring youth to stay in school, realize opportunities, and plan for a successful future. The judge also pledged to organize a mentorship program with area coaches in order to help the juvenile realize his dream of becoming a professional coach or athlete.
“I want you to do well,” Spon said. “Your rough past is not a justification to pull this stunt at school. I am giving you a way to move forward, and we will assist you in moving forward with your future.”
