The school liaison officer at Farwell Schools says one angry phone call resulted in a lot of work and worry Wednesday morning.
A parent voiced outrage over an investigation into possible criminal sexual conduct.
“In the background over a speaker phone, the mom's boyfriend said if any deputies come here, he'll take care of them, then he'll go to the school and take care of me," said Liaison Officer Erica Vredebelt.
Vredebelt says she took the threat seriously, called the Clare County Sheriff, put the high school on lock down, and the elementary and middle schools in secure mode.
Police and sheriff’s deputies responded to guard the schools. This continued until 12:15, when they got word, investigators had the man suspected of making the threats in custody.
She expects he will be charged with malicious use of a telephone, a misdemeanor. The crime carries a punishment of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
"Maybe someday we can make it a felony, because you had 1600 lives affected for 3 or 4 hours," says Vredebelt.
“We have to send a message that we can’t tolerate this stuff,” said Farwell Superintendent Dave Peterson.
Peterson says the school will see to it that the man responsible is charged to the fullest extent of the law. He says fortunately everything went as planned in locking down the school and protecting students.
The man suspected of making the threats meantime has not yet been identified by investigators.
