Arrest Made for School Threat

Medford School Threat

UPDATE: 2/28 at 2:22 p.m.

A Medford teen is expected to be tried as an adult after being accused of lying about overhearing a threat at Medford High School on February 21.

Denarah Kitzman, 17, is expected to be charged with obstructing an officer and bail jumping. So far, an initial court appearance date has not been scheduled. Both charges are misdemeanors.

She faces a maximum sentence of 18 months in jail.

The investigation is still open are more charges could be filed.

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UPDATE: 2/22 at 5:44pm

According to the Medford Police Department a 17-year-old girl is in custody. Police are not releasing a name.

The teen could be facing multiple misdemeanor charges of obstructing an officer, disorderly conduct, and bail jumping.

The Taylor County District Attorney's office will decide which charges the student will face.
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UPDATE: 2/22 at 3:11 p.m.

The Medford School District says an arrest has been made following a threat found in the girls' bathroom Wednesday. The school released a statement saying they no longer feel student safety is in question. "We look forward to all of our students returning to school on Monday and getting things back to normal."

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UPDATE 2/22/13

Hundreds of students are absent from all schools in the Medford School District today, a day after an apparent threat was found in the High School's bathroom.

Parents were told about the threat Thursday in a letter from the District, and were told absences Friday would not count against the students.

Friday's attendance is reported as:

Medford High School -140 out of 630 students – 78% absent
Medford Middle School – 225 out of 630 students – 64% absent
Stetsonville Elementary – 91 out of 240 – 62% absent
Medford Elementary – 76% absent

District-wide – 72% absent

Snow in the area Friday may also be a factor in the high number of absences.

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2/21/13
The Medford School District says they won't take any chances after a threat was found in the girls' bathroom Thursday.

The school says they'll check all student backpacks and will have an officer at the school.

The Medford Police Department and Taylor County Sheriff's Department would not say what was found in the bathroom.

Here's a copy of the letter from the district sent to parents.

Today at the high school a specific threat to the safety of our students and staff was discovered in a girl’s bathroom.

The school district takes these threats very seriously.

We will check back packs and coats of everyone who enters the high school.

School will be in session with a strong police presence all day.

You are being notified so that you can make the choice whether or not to send your child to school.

Absences will not negatively affect your child.