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Canfield police charge 11-year-old in middle school bomb threat
By Susan Tebben
CANFIELD
Police have charged an 11-year-old female student with making a false alarm, having identified her as the author of a bomb threat that caused evacuation of Canfield Village Middle School.
The girl, a fifth-grader whose name was not released by police, admitted writing the note after an investigation began March 20. That morning, a typed bomb threat was found in the school, according to Canfield Police Chief Chuck Colucci, and police made a sweep of the building. No evidence of a bomb was found.
“I can give you no good reason why she did it,” Colucci said. “She was unable to explain it to us or her parents, but she said she regrets doing it.”
Police spent the day after the threat interviewing students and staff and worked with the school board on the investigation.
The girl’s family has been cooperative in the investigation and realized charges would have to be filed in the matter.
“Students have to know if they are going to do something like this, or go to these lengths, they should expect to be charged,” Colucci said.
The girl’s case has been referred to the Mahoning County Juvenile Court.
This was the second bomb threat in two weeks for the school district.
A threat was reported at Canfield High School the week before. The investigation into the middle school bomb threat netted leads in the high school investigation as well, Colucci said. He declined to elaborate further because that investigation is pending.
The school district is conducting its own investigation and determining disciplinary action in the middle school matter.
“Obviously due process will be carried out,” said Superintendent Alex Geordan. “An expulsion hearing will be held within a 10-day period.”
Geordan said he was pleased that the family assisted with the investigation.
Colucci said the work and communication between the school and the police department while emergency protocol was initiated worked very well.