March 29, 2024

Two charged in connection with bomb threats at PCM Middle School, Prairie City Elementary

A 13-year-old Monroe girl has been charged with false reports of an incendiary or explosive device in connection with Tuesday's bomb threat at PCM Middle School, and a 10-year-old boy will be charged in connection with today's bomb threat at Prairie City Elementary, according to a press release issued by the Prairie City Police Department.

Police were notified of a bomb threat at 9:51 a.m. today at the elementary school. Jane Babcock, PCM superintendent, said the district followed its safety protocol, evacuating students out of the building and relocating them to a secure location while a joint task force of the Monroe and Prairie City police departments and the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office sweep the building to look for any threats.

The building got the all-clear at 11 a.m., and students were scheduled to resume classes as normal after lunch.

According to the press release issued early this afternoon, a 10-year-old male student admitted to police that he wrote the note and placed it in a bathroom. He will be charged and referred to juvenile court services.

On Tuesday, students from both the middle and elementary schools were evacuated to off-campus locations and released from school for the day after a similiar handwritten bomb threat was found by a middle school student in the women’s bathroom. Students from both schools were dismissed for the day.

Police charged a 13-year-old Monroe female in connection with Tuesday's incident after she admitted to police she was responsible for writing the note, according to the press release. She also will be referred to juvenile court services.