A 12-year-old Springboro student is facing criminal charges after he was accused of making 9-1-1 calls that led to a lockdown Friday night during a Springboro Junior High School dance.
The student was taken into custody and brought to the juvenile detention center, said Springboro Police Chief Jeff Kruithoff. He faces charges of felony inducing panic and misdemeanor charges of making false alarms and misuse of 9-1-1, Kruithoff said.
During his initial appearance in court, the judge ordered the boy to remain in detention until a risk assessment is completed.
A school official said in court that it’s possible this case could lead to suspension or expulsion, but said school officials have not been able to conduct their own investigation.
Officers responded to the school about 8:10 p.m. Friday after receiving several 9-1-1 hang-up calls traced to a location near the junior high school. Soon after, the district said police received another 9-1-1 call stating there was a weapon or gun at the junior high school dance.
“The Springboro Police Department arrived at SJHS, began a sweep of the building, and requested to have all students/staff safely moved to designated classrooms while the sweep occurred,” said Scott Marshall, Springboro Community Schools communications coordinator.
The cellphone used to make the 9-1-1 calls belonged to a girl, who told police “she lost the phone shortly after arriving at the school for the dance.”
The 12-year-old boy later admitted to having the “lost” phone and making the 9-1-1 calls, court records show.
The threat was deemed to not be credible and no weapon or gun was found on campus, Marshall added.
“We appreciate the efforts of the Springboro and Clearcreek Twp. police departments, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, and the cooperation of our students, parents and Springboro community during the event that occurred Friday,” Marshall said.
