JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — A 12-year-old student from Parkview Middle School in southern Indiana has been arrested for allegedly making threats against two local schools in the Greater Clark County School District. The arrest, made by the Jeffersonville Police Department (JPD) on Thursday afternoon, adds to a growing number of student arrests in Indiana related to school threats.
Details of the Arrest
The arrest occurred on school property around 2 p.m., with the student's parents present, according to JPD. The seventh grader reportedly made social media posts threatening both Parkview and River Valley middle schools. As a result, the 12-year-old now faces a felony charge of intimidation.
While police have not yet released further details about the student, additional arrests may follow. JPD stated that detectives are gathering evidence that could lead to felony charges against two more students. "Probable cause affidavits will be submitted for prosecutorial review to produce felony intimidation charges on two additional students," the department confirmed.
School District and Community Reactions
In response to the threats, the Greater Clark County Schools District posted on social media, assuring the community that local law enforcement was involved in the investigation. The district also emphasized that additional officers may be stationed at both middle schools as a precautionary measure in the coming days.
The district urged parents to take an active role in discussing school safety with their children. “Parents, in these situations, we encourage you, just like our students, ‘If you see something, say something.’ We need your help to ensure the safety of our campuses," the district said, adding that parents and students should immediately report any threats to school officials or police rather than sharing them on social media.
JPD echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of avoiding misinformation. “Sharing or creating misinformation on social media only adds to the chaos and interferes with the efficiency of police and school admin investigations,” the department said.
An Alarming Statewide Trend
The Jeffersonville case is part of a disturbing rise in school threats across Indiana. On the same day as the Parkview arrest, Richmond police arrested a 14-year-old after the FBI flagged a Snapchat threat made against the local high school. Earlier in the week, Marion police arrested two juveniles for making threats at local schools. In Warren Township, a student was arrested for allegedly making an online threat against an unspecified school in the district.
These incidents come on the heels of a student arrest in Anderson last week for allegedly threatening to bring a gun to class, as well as an Indiana State Police arrest of a Perry Meridian student for similar threats.
Other regions have also been affected. In Vigo County, at least seven juveniles were arrested this week for making threats against various schools in Terre Haute. In Gibson County, a juvenile was arrested Thursday for allegedly making threatening statements.
These incidents reflect a troubling trend of school-related threats in Indiana, placing law enforcement, school officials, and parents on high alert as they strive to maintain a safe environment for students.
A Call for Vigilance
As Indiana grapples with this issue, both school officials and police are urging parents to maintain open communication with their children about the severity of making or spreading threats, even as a joke. The consequences, as demonstrated in these recent arrests, can be severe and long-lasting.
The community’s support and vigilance are essential to curbing this alarming pattern. By working together, law enforcement, schools, and families can help keep Hoosier schools safe.
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