LANCASTER, Ohio — A Lancaster mother has taken to social media to assert that her 12-year-old son has been wrongfully detained after being accused of making bomb threats at Thomas Ewing Junior High School. The mother alleges that her son was arrested based solely on hearsay from other students and without any physical evidence.
According to the mother’s account, she received a call from the school’s resource officer shortly before the end of the school day. The officer informed her that some students had reported hearing that her son had a bomb strapped to his chest and another in his backpack. The mother claims that when she spoke to her son, he sounded scared and denied making any such statements.
“He is well known for being overly honest and respectful,” the mother wrote in her social media post. She questioned the basis of the arrest, asking whether any adults had heard the alleged threats, if there was any video evidence, or if any suspicious items were found in his possession. She stated that the officer answered “no” to all her questions but proceeded to take her son to a juvenile detention facility.
The mother expressed frustration that her son was detained without concrete evidence, emphasizing that the arrest was made purely on the statements of a few students. She also mentioned that the school was not evacuated, no bomb squad was called, and that other classmates were unaware of any threat, leading her to question how her son had “induced panic.”
She further claimed that her son has no prior disciplinary issues and is of good character. The mother is concerned that the authorities may be using her son to set an example in light of a recent unresolved school threat in the district. She fears that her son could face severe consequences, potentially being detained until he is 21.
In her plea to the community, the mother wrote, “Please don’t let them make an example out of my son over hearsay… There is a chance that my son’s childhood will be taken from him over this.”
She has also set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for legal fees, seeking assistance to bring her son home safely.
As of now, local law enforcement and school officials have not publicly commented on the specific details of the case. It is unclear what investigative steps were taken prior to the arrest. The mother stated that her son is facing a charge of “inducing panic.”
This situation highlights the challenges schools and law enforcement face when addressing potential threats, especially in an environment sensitive to school safety concerns. It also raises questions about the procedures followed when minors are implicated in serious allegations based on peer reports.