After a long week of threats waged against two Warren County schools, authorities said they would not tolerate such behavior.
Friday, law enforcement made good on that ultimatum, arresting three juveniles and pressing charges, in addition to another teen charged Wednesday, in connection with four separate threats made against Lebanon High School and Lebanon Jr. High School.
All of the juveniles are 14 and 15 years old.
Parents in the district told WCPO the arrests are just what they were hoping for to ease the fears that had grown throughout the week.
“When we had just the first (arrest), I was like, OK — that’s getting started but now that I know that, I feel a little more comfortable,” said parent Julie Coleman.
Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell spoke with WCPO Wednesday about the difficulty in determining the credibility of threats like these.
“Neither the school districts nor law enforcement has any way of distinguishing between a credible threat, a troubled student simply acting out, or a ‘bad joke,’” Fornshell said. “As the recent shooting at Madison High School demonstrates, these incidents can happen anywhere at any time, and therefore the school districts and law enforcement must treat each threat as if the safety of all students is at risk.”
Fornshell said the protocol for felony charges against juveniles is immediate arrest and detainment, a psychological examination and, if he suspect is found guilty, a recommended 90-day sentence.
