ESTACADA, Ore. — Deputies in Clackamas County arrested a high school student accused of making a threat towards Estacada High School. All classes in the Estacada School District are canceled on Wednesday "in an abundance of caution," the school district said.
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office learned about the threat towards the high school on Tuesday and started an investigation. A current high school student made the threat and it was "widely shared on social media," according to the sheriff's office. The school district and the sheriff's office have not released any additional information about the nature of the threat.
Many parents and family members were concerned about the children's safety.
"Thankfully they're safe. Thankfully the school did close down for it, but what’s going to happen if this keeps on happening? They can't keep it closed forever every time there is a new threat," said Hazel Ault, the sister of an Estacada student.
Deputies arrested the high school student on charges of disorderly conduct in the first degree. The student was taken to the Clackamas County Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center.
"Disorderly conduct in the first degree, and that’s when somebody makes a report knowing it to be false publicly about some impending catastrophe like a bomb threat or a school shooting," Clackamas County Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Owen said, explaining the charge.
Owen said charges in threat cases can range from a misdemeanor to a felony.
“If the investigation develops evidence that the individual actually plans on carrying out that threat, and there’s evidence to support it, then the charges can be much more serious," Owen explained.
Yamhill-Carlton and Keizer-Salem also received threats in the past week which follow multiple threats made against a Tualatin middle school last month which prompted evacuations and canceled classes.
Of the four investigations, three have led to an arrest of a juvenile.
“Certainly, if you are somebody who is a teenager and you’re making these statements there will be a full investigative response from law enforcement," said Owen.
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