MARTIN COUNTY, Fla (CBS12) — Students returned to class as usual Wednesday after a 15-year-old Martin County High School student was accused of making a false bomb threat Tuesday, marking the fourth threat tied to the Stuart school in just over a week — as parents voice growing concern.
A Martin County High sophomore allegedly sent a bomb threat, thinking it was anonymous and couldn’t be traced — investigators proved that theory wrong. CBS12’s Paige Meyer.WPEC
Families express concern after repeated threats:
The repeated threats are taking a toll on some students and parents.
CBS12 News spoke with freshman Maya and her mother, Liz, during school drop-off Wednesday morning.
Maya described the response to one of the previous threats as frightening.
“The last bomb threat, it was crazy because, like a cop in Building Two, the alarm didn’t even go off,” Maya said. “A police officer had to go door to door and come get us and tell us to get out of the building. So, it was kind of like scary.”
A Martin County High sophomore allegedly sent a bomb threat, thinking it was anonymous and couldn’t be traced — investigators proved that theory wrong. (MCSO)
Her mother said the string of threats has left her questioning what could happen each time she drops her daughter off at school.
“It is very concerning,” Liz said. “Every morning it’s like, should I bring her to school today? Is it going to be another one? Is this going to be the real one?”
District officials told CBS12 News counselors are readily available to support students if they are nervous from the ongoing issue.
Student arrested in latest threat:
The latest threat was reported Tuesday morning. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said 15-year-old sophomore Noah Taylor used FortifyFL, Florida’s school safety reporting system, to submit a report claiming bombs were inside a boys bathroom and would go off during third period.
The school resource deputy determined the threat was not credible.
A Martin County High sophomore allegedly sent a bomb threat, thinking it was anonymous and couldn’t be traced — investigators proved that theory wrong. (MCSO)
Investigators said surveillance video and interviews with students led them to Taylor. Deputies said Taylor later admitted making the false report because Taylor wanted to get out of his third-period class.
Taylor was arrested and charged with making a false report concerning the planting of a bomb, a second-degree felony.
A Martin County High sophomore allegedly sent a bomb threat, thinking it was anonymous and couldn’t be traced — investigators proved that theory wrong. (MCSO)
Sheriff John Budensiek said Taylor is not believed to be connected to the three previous threats involving Martin County High School.
Three earlier threats still under investigation:
The Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the other three threats.
Budensiek said investigators traced the first threat to someone in Russia. The other two investigations remain active.
The sheriff has warned students that false threats can carry serious and lasting consequences, including criminal charges and possible school discipline.
‘Is this going to be the real one?’ Martin County families react after fourth bomb threat
For families such as Maya and Liz, the concern now is whether the threats will stop.
“The advice I give to my daughter is to stay calm. She’s very smart and quick to think, and I tell her to do what God is telling her right away. Follow the rules and what the teachers tell you, but you have to react how you feel in that moment. I know they’re not allowed to use their phones, but I really don’t care — if you need to make a phone call in an emergency, just do it,” said Liz.
Maya said what initially felt unusual has started to feel more routine after so many incidents.
“A lot of people were screaming and calling their parents. Then, when they got home, they were looking on Facebook because Facebook has everything. We all talked about it and who we think is doing it. Everyone was saying it was Russia or something, but I don’t know,” said Maya.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office continues working to determine who is responsible for the three unresolved threats.
Martin County High School released the following statement:
The safety and security of our students and staff remains our top priority. We appreciate the swift response and coordination of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, our School Resource Officers, and the District’s Safety and Security Team, whose efforts allowed yesterday’s false FortifyFL report involving Martin County High School to be quickly investigated, determined to be unfounded, and ultimately resolved with an arrest.
Because the report was confirmed to be false, there is no additional law enforcement presence on campus related to this incident. Our two School Resource Officers remain on campus, and additional patrols continue as part of our normal daily safety operations.
We also want to be clear: false threats and false reports are not pranks. They create fear, disrupt the educational environment, divert critical law enforcement resources, and carry serious disciplinary and criminal consequences. Individuals who make false reports should expect to be held fully accountable, exactly as how it unfolded yesterday.
We understand these threats can cause fear and distress, and when we talk about student safety, we want them to feel safe as well. We will be providing additional services and staff during the school day, including School Social Service Workers and School Counselors, and we encourage students who need support to talk with them.
We continue to encourage students, staff, and families to report legitimate safety concerns. Every report is taken seriously and investigated thoroughly because protecting our students and staff will always come first.