Third grader faces criminal charge after making bomb threats against Ohio schools

A third-grade girl in Lorain County, Ohio, has been charged with inducing panic after allegedly making bomb threats targeting two schools via a fake Facebook account.

The threats claimed explosives had been planted at Clearview High School and Durling Middle School, forcing the closure of the entire Clearview Local School District on Dec. 12, according to the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities, including the FBI, conducted thorough searches of the schools but found no evidence of bombs.

The incident, described as a false alarm, caused significant disruption and concern in the community. Classes resumed the following day, but the shock lingered.

“This is not what you want to hear,” Jacob Kyle, a coach at Durling Middle School, told local news outlet WOIO.

“Seeing these kids and having kids in this school nowadays, it’s very upsetting, especially someone that young to have access to social media.”

The sheriff’s office revealed that the third grader admitted to making these threats and a previous one in September.

Despite her young age, she has been charged and referred to the Hamilton County Juvenile Court Assessment Center, a facility designed to help young offenders avoid becoming entrenched in the justice system.

The revelation that a child so young was responsible for such alarming threats has left many community members in disbelief.

“I almost didn’t think it was real, to be honest, to have someone that young,” Kyle said, emphasizing the need for parental oversight.

“I don’t think that anyone under 18 should have [social media], to be honest, but that’s just me.”

An anonymous mother of a Durling student shared her concerns about the lack of parental supervision in such cases. “It’s really sad,” she told WOIO.

“I think that parents should have a little more involvement in what their kids are doing. Third grade – they know the consequences, we talk about it, but this is the second time I’ve heard that she’s done it.”

Kyle further blamed social media for amplifying such issues.

“A lot of things go through social media, and word travels fast. As you can see, someone can have a threat just like that, and it can go downhill.”

Juvenile court steps in to intervene

In addition to facing criminal charges, the third grader has been referred to the Hamilton County Juvenile Court Assessment Center. Located in Cincinnati, the center focuses on rehabilitating young offenders through diversion programs and support services.

According to the center’s website, its mission is to “keep children from becoming entrenched in the juvenile justice system.”

The facility provides a family-friendly environment where youth and their families work with a “Service Navigator” to address underlying issues and create a path forward.

The center’s approach includes screening and assessing the child’s needs, connecting families to community services such as mental health counseling, and addressing behavioral concerns.

Families collaborate with staff to create a service plan tailored to the child’s situation.

Dr. Jerome Davis, Superintendent of Clearview Schools, confirmed to WOIO that the third grader was referred to the center following her indictment.

While her actions are serious, the referral highlights the justice system’s focus on rehabilitation over punishment for young offenders.

The Assessment Center works with children facing charges for low-level offenses such as truancy or unruly behavior.

For more severe charges, like inducing panic, the center helps identify changes needed to prevent recidivism and ensures the child receives support while navigating the court process.

The case has raised pressing questions about the accessibility of social media for children and the need for parental involvement. Many community members have called for stricter monitoring of children’s online activities to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“I definitely think parents need to be more involved in social media,” the anonymous Durling parent said.

“Third graders shouldn’t even have social media, in my opinion.”

While the sheriff’s office confirmed that the girl’s parents have not been charged, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about accountability.

Parents, educators, and local leaders are now questioning how a third grader could create and operate a fake Facebook account undetected.

“I blame it mostly on the social media aspect,” Kyle said.

“Things like this show why it’s important to have oversight. This could have been much worse if the threat was real.”