LUCASVILLE, Ohio — Two juveniles were taken into custody after information about a potential indirect threat involving Valley High School was reported to law enforcement, the Valley Local School District said in a statement Sunday evening.
The district said the information was immediately reported to law enforcement, and that two juveniles were taken into custody as a result of the investigation.
According to the district, the situation came to light because members of the school community reported concerning information. “Students and adults should never assume that a concerning statement, message, or threat is a joke. Report it immediately,” the district said.
“The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority,” the district said, adding that it is continuing to work closely with law enforcement and will provide additional information when appropriate.
The district thanked Sheriff Thoroughman and the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office for their swift action in handling the matter.
The statement did not describe the nature of the threat, identify the juveniles or announce any charges, and it did not announce any change to school operations. J News Network will update this story as additional information is released.
WATCH: Two juveniles in custody after potential threat reported at Valley High School — our full report is in the video below.
LIVE UPDATE — 1:12 P.M.
Two juveniles taken into custody Sunday in the Valley Local Schools threat investigation have been charged and are being held at the Ross County Juvenile Detention Center, Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman announced Monday.
The sheriff’s office said it was notified of a potential threat involving Valley Local Schools on Saturday, Oct. 17, and detectives began an investigation. Detectives later received additional information that raised concerns about school safety, and deputies and detectives worked with school officials on the investigation.
Both juveniles were located and taken into custody without incident on Sunday, Oct. 18, and detectives recovered evidence connected to the investigation, the sheriff’s office said.
The charges include one count each of making a terroristic threat, a third-degree felony; complicity to making a terroristic threat, a third-degree felony; grand theft of a firearm, a third-degree felony; receiving stolen property, a third-degree felony; tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony; and inducing panic, a fourth-degree felony.
Thoroughman commended Valley Local Schools for promptly reporting the matter and assisting detectives during the investigation. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be referred to the Scioto County Juvenile Court, the sheriff’s office said.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Jodi Conkel at 740-351-1091.
