UPDATE: Kennett Superintendent Wilson responds to threat report | Crime

Kennett Superintendent Chris Wilson tells Region 8 News:

In response to the recently posted KAIT 8 article, there was at no time a threat made toward Kennett High School or any other school in the district. 

I can assure you that once the district was made aware of the facebook post, which did not mention a single building, campus or school within the Kennett School District, the administration took the appropriate actions and steps to ensure the situation was addressed in the appropriate manner. 

The issue was turned over to local authorities so it could be handled as a matter outside the school district. 

Sincerely,

Chris Wilson

Mr. Wilson's comment was in response to a story we posted earlier Tuesday morning, which was based upon the following news release from the Kennett Police Department:

On 12-17-12, Kennett Officers received information about a threat that was received by Kennett Public Schools.  Upon investigation, Investigators learned that two weeks ago , a juvenile student made a Facebook post indicating that he was considering doing harm to others.  This post was since deleted, however a copy of it was sent to the administration at the Kennett High School.

Officers interviewed school Officials about the juvenile and spoke with the Kennett High School Counselor.  The Juvenile was then immediately brought to the Kennett Police Department where he was interviewed by both Police and Dunklin County Juvenile Officers. 

Police also conducted a search at the residence where the juvenile resides.

The case is currently being investigated by the Dunklin County Juvenile Authorities.

This week, the Kennett Police Department has been in touch with Kennett Schools Officials, and are currently conducting  periodic ‘walk-throughs’ at all Public Schools in Kennett.

 Kennett Chief of Police

James Paine

This is the original story we posted Tuesday morning:

Kennett police have beefed up patrols in the public schools after they say a student made threats on Facebook.

According to Chief James Paine, two weeks ago a student posted on Facebook that he was “considering doing harm to others.”  The post was deleted; however, a copy was sent to the Kennett High School administration.

On Monday officers interviewed school officials about the student and spoke with the high school counselor. 

The boy was “immediately” brought to the Kennett Police Department where he was interviewed by both police and Dunklin County juvenile officers, according to Chief Paine.

Police also searched the boy’s home.

Chief Paine says the case has been turned over to county juvenile authorities.  Meanwhile, officers are conducting “walk-throughs” at all of Kennett’s public schools.