MANSFIELD, Ohio – UPDATED – A 16-year-old female student was arrested on Tuesday in connection to a bomb threat that resulted in the evacuation of Madison Comprehensive High School.
According to Superintendent Lee Kaple, at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning a teacher reported receiving a note that was passed under their door. The note involved the threat of a bomb and also a shooting, at which time the school’s emergency plan was put into effect.
“We had her on surveillance tape slipping the note under the door,” said Kaple. “The girl that left the note was arrested this afternoon. As far as the school is concerned, she’ll be looking at a 10-day suspension with recommendation for expulsion.”
From a law enforcement perspective, Maj. Joe Masi with the Richland County Sheriff’s Office stated the Richland County Prosecutor has been consulted for charges against the student.
“I would suspect at least inducing panic and any other charges the prosecutor recommends based on the investigation,” said Masi.
Masi stated the female student was not totally cooperative with law enforcement.
“We were not absolutely sure whether her threats were viable or not,” said Masi. “Not being 100 percent sure, we’re going to make sure there is not a bomb or weapons inside that school.
“In this day and age, this is a very serious threat,” Masi continued. “Whenever you’re talking about bomb threats and using a firearm inside of a school, we take it very seriously. Today we took it very seriously, and we reacted according to protocol.”
“The way it was relayed to me, she thought she was just pulling a prank,” added Kaple. “A very serious mistake.”
Law enforcement officers and K-9 units from The Ohio State University Mansfield Police Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Summit County were called to the scene.
High school students were evacuated to the Madison Middle School gymnasium and all entrances to the schools were blocked off by school employees. According to the school district’s website, high school students only were to be released from the gym two hours early at 12:50 p.m.
Masi stated the search of the building was being finalized as of Tuesday afternoon and at 1:30 p.m. nothing had been found.
“There is no doubt in anybody’s mind this is a safe environment,” said Masi. “We want to make sure everyone has confidence that this is a safe building and a safe environment to walk back into.”
Kaple stated classes would resume as normal on Wednesday.
