LCSO arrests 2 students for 2 separate threats at Lee County schools

Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 16-year-old girl Monday related to a threatening note left by the accused teen at North Fort Myers High School last week. The sheriff’s office also arrested a 12-year-old boy for a threat he made to Oak Hammock Middle School Monday.

A 16-year-old girl was arrested for Written Threat To Kill Or Injure, which is a felony charge. The 12-year-old was also arrested on felony charges.

“A threat was made, an assessment was completed, followed by an investigation and an arrest,” said Rick Parfitt, safety and security director for Lee County Public Schools. “It was a team effort, and, in summary, the process worked.”

The note left on a toilet in a bathroom stall at the school said the suspect would attack the high school, Monday.

About two-thirds of the North Fort Myers High School student body did not attend classes Monday. During the press conference held jointly by Lee County Public Schools and LCSO, Superintendent Gregory Adkins said 1,200 students in total did not attend school. That left 600 students who attended school.

“It takes considerable resources of our school district, of law enforcement to track down and take action on these threats,” Adkins said. “It also has an emotional toll on our students. It makes students scared, afraid to come to school. This why we have to take and will continue to take serious action against those students that make those types of actions against our kids.”

Adkins said there is no tolerance practiced toward this type of threat or behavior.

“What no tolerance means is that we turn these threats over up to law enforcement, and disciplinary action is very serious,” Adkins said. “And when I mean very serious, I’m talking about up to and including expulsion.”

Adkins also encouraged parents to cultivate an understanding with their children about the severity of threats, like the one this teenager was arrested for.

“Please take time to talk to your students about the implications of making threats,” Adkins said. “We have to see this type of behavior significantly reduced.”

Sheriff Carmine Marceno said the arrest for the middle school student was made shortly before the press conference that began around 3:20 p.m.

“Our children’s safety is number one, and that’s it,” Marceno said in a press conference. “This is real. Fake threat, real consequences. Make a threat, behind bars you will go.” 

Trust WINK News to update you as more information becomes available. 

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