Juvenile arrested over social media threats in Niota

NIOTA, Tennessee (WDEF) McMinn County authorities have picked up a 16 year old over threats made through social media.

Sheriff Joe Guy says that School Resource Officer Ashley McClendon spoke to an 8th grade student at Niota Elemenatry on Thursday.

The student showed her social media posts from the night before that included threats.

“Deputy McClendon notified the principal, and she and other officers went searching for the person who made the threat, who appeared to be a 16 year-old home school student,” said Sheriff Guy.

While there was no actual threat at the school, the Principal put it on a soft lockdown, which means students were kept inside.

Director of Schools Lee Parkinson said “It was simply a precaution and only lasted about an hour. The deputies quickly located the young man who made the online comment at his residence, and we went back to a normal school day.”

Sheriff Guy says the 16 year old will be charged, but that’s not the end of the investigation.

“We are also looking at other individuals who were engaged in the online exchange, and others may be charged as well.”

“We won’t tolerate any threats,” said Sheriff Guy. “If you make even the slightest indication of harm to a student or a school, we are coming to your door. We are not going to let idle threats disrupt our schools.”