2 Threats Of School Violence Investigated; Teen Charged: Batavia PD

BATAVIA, IL — Batavia police investigated two separate threats of violence toward local schools Saturday and Sunday. One case resulted in the arrest of a local middle school student.

Officers were notified of the threats at 8:40 p.m. Saturday and again at 9:14 p.m. Sunday.

In the first incident, a social media post was reported in which a Batavia High School student made a threat about the school. Police said the case was "swiftly investigated" and reviewed by the Kane County State's Attorney's Office, which determined the facts did not support criminal charges, according to a Tuesday news release.

A day later, police were alerted of a Rotolo Middle School student threatening violence toward the school and a specific individual over the phone and in text messages. In this instance, the state's attorney's office authorized one felony count of disorderly conduct for threat of violence at school against the 13-year-old student.

"Batavia Police quickly and thoroughly investigated both cases and took steps to ensure there was no immediate threat to students or school staff," officials said.

The teen was taken into custody and transported to the Kane County Juvenile Detention Center to await a juvenile detention hearing.

"The Batavia Police Department takes all reports of school violence seriously and conducts timely, thorough investigations in the interest of public safety," police said in a statement. "We remind students and families to report concerning statements, information, or threats to the Batavia Police Department as soon as possible. Any threat, whether in person, by phone, by text message, or online, should be expeditiously reported. Parents and students are also encouraged not to share, re-post, or otherwise spread rumors or threats, and allow authorities time to investigate."