BULLHEAD CITY – Bullhead City police report the arrest of a student who perpetrated a hoax in an effort to get a day away from school. Spokeswoman Emily Fromelt said a woman contacted police on Tuesday, Sept. 24 expressing concern that her 14-year-old son received an email from another student indicating he would be in danger at Fox Creek Junior High School.
“Police learned that he had drafted the email and sent it to himself to convince his mother he should stay home,” Fromelt said. “He also made these same false statement to school staff and police.”
The teenager was booked at the police station for disruption of an educational institution and false reporting to law enforcement. He was released to the custody of his parents.
Fromelt said law enforcement authorities have recently responded to multiple reports of social media threats involving schools.
“Most of the reports were related to a nationwide threat that originated elsewhere and was being repeated and circulated online,” Fromelt said “These reports were each treated very seriously, fully investigated and determined to not be credible.”
The Bullhead City police department and other area law enforcement agencies worked with school districts and added security on various campuses in an abundance of caution. Fromelt said authorities encourage parents and guardians to talk with school-age children about social media responsibility.
“These ongoing unfounded threats that are being shared online causes great fear and disruption to our education facilities,” Fromelt said. “If you’re aware of a situation, report it – don’t repost it.”
Dave Hawkins
