School Threats on Facebook Lead to Teen's Arrest

A 15-year-old boy faces criminal charges for allegedly making threats against Manatee High School on Facebook.

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office arrested the boy Thursday and charged him with Threatening to Use a Destructive Device.

Deputies, working with the Holmes Beach Police Department, started an investigation on July 29, after receiving a report about statements the boy  allegedly made on Facebook about Manatee High School.

The report was made by a parent who had seen the postings, Manatee school officials said in a press release Friday.

The boy was a student at the school last year, according to investigators. But school officials said Friday he will not be returning to the high school when classes resume. His future as a student in the Manatee County School District has yet to be determined.

Detectives didn’t find any evidence to substantiate the threats would be carried out, according to a written statement by investigators. 

The 2012-13 school year starts Monday. Manatee High School Principal Don Sauer is taking special precautions as the new school year begins, even though authorities made an arrest and the boy will not be allowed to return to Manatee High.

District officials said that he will put in place extra safety measure to ensure the welfare of students,