MONROE, Mich. — Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney Jefferey A. Yorkey and Sheriff Troy Goodnough addressed parents in a letter to the community Thursday, following weeks of unfounded bomb and shooting threats to schools across Michigan - including in Monroe County itself.
In the letter, Yorkey and Goodnough said several students from southeast Michigan now face serious charges following the threats made against schools, which have in recent weeks, included Bedford and Monroe Public Schools. Those threats were determined to be noncredible.
They reminded parents that threats of violence against a school or other institution bring about consequences for children, such as charges. Minor suspects can remain incarcerated until their 19th birthday, while a longer imprisonment is possible if the person is tried as an adult.
They encouraged parents to speak to their child about the consequences of a threat, as well as the importance of speaking up if they see, hear or otherwise notice a threat. Threats should be reported to police by calling 911 or telling an adult, teacher or principal about it.
Anyone can also report a threat by texting or calling OK2SAY at 855-565-2729. A threat can also be reported at the OK2SAY website, authorities said.
Parents may also face charges if their child carries out a school shooting, the letter stated, referencing the Oxford High School shooting in Michigan that saw the conviction of the shooter's parents, who were accused of supplying their son, Ethan Crumbley, with a firearm.
In the more recent Apalachee High School shooting, which killed four people in Georgia on Sept. 4, the shooter's father is facing related charges for allegedly providing his son, Colt Gray, with a gun. Yorkey and Goodnough claimed in their letter that the Apalachee shooting spawned the recent threats.
In the letter, Yorkey and Goodnough first mention the Sept. 4 Apalachee High School shooting in Georgia that killed four people. They claimed the shooting spawned the recent threats.
Authorities also reminded parents to monitor their child's social media accounts and other devices, as they said most threats originate on social media. Parents were also encouraged to educate children and support their mental health to prevent possible school shootings.
If you see a threat on social media, you should report it to authorities, but not repost or share it, authorities said.