DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael Ruth announced last Friday that a 17-year-old female York High School student is now facing a felony charge for a threat she allegedly sent via Snapchat to classmate.
The juvenile appeared at a detention hearing last Friday morning where Judge Michael Wolfe ordered that the juvenile be held in custody. The juvenile has been charged with one count of disorderly conduct, a Class 4 felony, and one count of possession of cannabis. She appeared in court on Monday.
It is alleged that on March 22, the teen sent the threatening Snapchat message directed at the school to a classmate. Authorities were made aware of the Snapchat message the same day, and the teen was taken into custody. She has remained in custody until her hearing last Friday morning.
“This is the third time within the past month that my office has charged a student with making a threat against a DuPage County School,” Berlin said. “Students have got to learn that threatening a school is no joking matter.
“My office takes any threat to the wellbeing of our students, teachers and school personnel very seriously and will fully investigate and prosecute anyone believed responsible for threatening a school. Additionally, we will continue to work with schools throughout the County to ensure that our schools are as safe as they can be so that students and teachers never worry for their safety while at school.
“I would like to thank the student who brought this matter to the attention of authorities as well as the officials at York High School for their cooperation in this matter. I would like to thank the Elmhurst Police Department for their work on this case.”
“Schools should be a safe place for our children and any on-line threat will be reported and fully investigated by police,” Ruth added.
