Student Threatens Others

A Jasper County Middle School student is in police custody this week after allegedly making terroristic threats toward another student at the school last week.

The youth, whose identity has not been disclosed because she is a minor, allegedly made threats toward one or more students at the school Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 2 and 3.

Apparently one of the threats was overheard, and a parent contacted law enforcement. It is unclear where the initial call went—the 911 center, P.D. or S.O.

Monticello Police Sgt. Rick Benford said this week that 911 dispatchers notified him by phone. However, 911 records do not indicate the call came into that center.

Sgt. Benford said he telephoned the complainant, and after learning of the threats, he contacted a deputy on duty as the alleged perpetrator did not live in the city.

The PD also contacted Jay Brinson, superintendent of Jasper County public schools. Mr. Brinson said he contacted Middle School Principal Anne Massengale who coordinated with police to intercept the child when she arrived at school.

When the youth arrived at school Wednesday, she was taken off the bus and searched because she had said she would bring a gun to school. No gun was found, according to school officials, but the threats were enough to warrant legal action.

The youth rode the bus from her home to the school. Mr. Brinson said, “We have to get her on school property before we can search her.”
{{more}}
He said he felt the response was appropriate for the level of threat. When the youth was taken off the bus and searched, no weapon was found. The school questioned several individuals who said they heard a threat made. Mr. Brinson said the school first conducted the investigation before the student was turned over to law enforcement authorities.

Sheriff Charles Roper said this week that when it was reported to the sheriff’s office, they were told the police were handling it so the S.O. had no reason to be involved.

He said he met with Mrs. Massengale after the fact to offer the services of his department.
Despite rumors to the contrary both Mrs. Massengale and Supt. Brinson insist the student did not have a weapon.

The youth was taken into custody, and Police Chief Dan Norris confirmed this week she was still in custody.

Chief Norris also said there was a bomb threat at the Middle School on Thursday. Among some graffiti on a bathroom wall was the threat of a bomb in the school, he said. An anonymous tip led him to the school to investigate the threat. He said Mrs. Massengale confirmed there was graffiti on the wall indicating a threat, but that the wall had since been painted.

Supt. Brinson confirmed Wednesday that there was “something that could have been construed to be a bomb threat.” Mrs. Massengale is out sick, so no comment was available from her.

Chief Norris said often when students make threats such as these, it is a cry for attention, a request for help. He said he will work with the school and community any way he can to achieve safer schools and community.

He also said he wanted students to understand they cannot go to school and make threats about harming others and get away with it. It is a serious allegation and will be dealt with seriously, he indicated.

Speaking of cries for help, Jasper County High School Principal Howard Fore said a high school student came to school last week and said she wanted to kill someone. Mr. Fore indicated it was really a cry for help, and the student has been removed from campus, and is hopefully getting the help she needs.

The high school practiced its “code yellow” lockdown last week, and was planing to practice “code red” this week.

Anyone who hears of a threat is encouraged to report it to law enforcement and/or school officials.