Authors of threats found
By Jack Stephens
Published in News on December 8, 2004 2:07 PM
Two young teen-aged students have confessed to writing threatening notes that were found at Rosewood High School and Rosewood Middle School, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office announced today.
One letter was found Friday in a high school bathroom. The second was found Monday in a middle school hallway.
The students, both juveniles, will be charged in juvenile petitions, detectives said today. The students were not identified because of their ages. The parents of both students have been contacted by school authorities.
"Both letters were found to be hoaxes," detectives said, "and were written for attention only. The students were never in any danger."
The schools have taken disciplinary actions, detectives said. Information from the investigation has been referred to the county schools superintendent, Dr. Steven Taylor, for review.
After the second note was found, Detective Sgt. Shawn Harris said the middle school was locked down and searched for the protection of the students.
Detective Sgt. Dean Roscoe and Deputy Larry Mitchell assisted in the investigation.
Kristy Fair, public information officer for Wayne County public schools, said that according to the school system's policy, the students responsible could also face long-term suspension or expulsion.
"We do take this very seriously," she said. "We hope that parents will review the district policy for our students and understand the consequences of such actions."
Ms. Fair said letters were sent home to parents informing them that the school system had handled the incidents.