14-year-old student makes alleged threat

A 14-year-old girl accused of making a threat to a school she did not attend was charged with making a false report this week, a School Resource Officer reported.

She was also charged with criminal impersonation by using another student’s log-in information to send the threat to Rock Springs Middle School. She remains in the Juvenile Detention Center until another Juvenile Court hearing Monday.

Principal Stephen Wayne notified SRO Ben Baldwin Monday about the threat a teacher received through the school messaging system. The SRO worked with the Rock Springs Middle School’s technical support representative to identify the former student accused of making the threat.

Baldwin interviewed the girl who admitted to sending the message. He determined the girl did not have the means to carry out the threat.

The girl used a current Rock Springs Middle School student’s log-in information to send the message. The Rock Springs Middle school student whose log-in was used didn’t know about the threat.

Director of Schools Don Odom said, “We want parents to know we are vigilant when it comes to investigating any threats made against our schools, and we thoroughly discipline those responsible. We appreciate our strong partnership with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, which helps us maintain safe learning environments for our students and employees.”

SRO Capt. Brad Harrison commended Baldwin and Principal Wayne.

“I want to commend SRO Baldwin for his diligent work toward resolving this issue,” Harrison said. “I also want to commend Principal Wayne and his faculty for their quick actions. It is a prime demonstration of the cooperation and resolve the Sheriff’s Office and the Rutherford County Schools System have in working together to ensure our kids’ safety.”