Boy, 13, accused of making bomb threat against Bethlehem High School

By WNYT

Police: Boy, 13, made bomb threat against Bethlehem school

A 13-year-old from Albany is accused of making a bomb threat against the Bethlehem High School. The district received a call around 2:38 p.m. on Tuesday. Superintendent of Schools Jody Monroe said in a statement on the district's website that the caller told a staff member who answered the phone: "I am calling in a bomb threat." Then, the caller hung up. The staff member alerted administrators, the school resource officer and police.

A 13-year-old from Albany is accused of making a bomb threat against Bethlehem High School.

The school received the threat around 2:38 p.m. Tuesday, according to police. Superintendent of Schools Jody Monroe said in a statement on the district’s website that the caller told a staff member who answered the phone: “I am calling in a bomb threat.” Then, the caller hung up.

The staff member alerted administrators, the school resource officer and police. The school was placed into a lockout/shelter-in-place status, as Bethlehem Police and a bomb-detecting K-9 from the Albany County Sheriff’s Office conducted a sweep of the school. No suspicious items or devices were found, police said.

Bethlehem Police and the FBI identified the suspect. The juvenile has been charged with making a terroristic threat and aggravated harassment. He was processed and released to his mother. The teen is scheduled to appear at Albany County Probation on Oct. 22.

Bethlehem Police said this case is not connected to a series of “swatting” incidents of false threats made against the school over the past month.

That investigation is ongoing. Superintendent Monroe thanked the law enforcement agencies for the work on the case.

Monroe said she is aware that this situation has taken a toll on both students and staff and said that administrators, counselors, social workers and other resources are available.