Teenager, 16, charged in bomb threats at h.s.

MANALAPAN - On Nov. 6, the Manalapan Police Department charged a 16-year-old boy with two counts of terroristic threats and two counts of false public alarm.

According to a press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, these charges stem from two separate incidents at Manalapan High School where the boy is alleged to have written specific bomb threats on the walls in a boys bathroom. These matters were investigated by the Manalapan police, the prosecutor's office and school officials. The juvenile, who is a resident of Manalapan, was lodged at the Monmouth County Youth Detention Center, Freehold Township.

Information released by the prosecutor indicates that on Oct. 11 at about 12:30 p.m. a bomb threat was discovered written on the wall of a boys bathroom in the high school. The threat made specific reference to a bomb that was to explode on Oct. 13.

On the morning of Oct. 13 prior to the start of school, the building was cleared by law enforcement authorities using K-9 units specially trained to detect explosives. Additional measures were employed to ensure that no explosives were brought into the school, according to the prosecutor's office.

On Nov. 6 at about 10:36 a.m. another bomb threat written in the same bathroom was discovered. This threat was brought to the attention of school officials. An internal investigation by the school resulted in the identification of the 16-year-old boy who had entered the bathroom earlier in the morning. When the student was identified, the investigation was turned over to the Manalapan police.

When police completed their investigation, charges were filed against the juvenile with respect to both incidents and the juvenile was transported to the youth detention center. The student has been suspended by the school, pending an expulsion hearing before the Freehold Regional High School District Board of Education, according to the prosecutor's office.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin credited the efforts of all law enforcement agencies involved in both investigations. He said, "The safety of children is of paramount importance. Appropriate precautions will be taken by law enforcement officials in response to credible threats to any school in Monmouth County.

"The administrators at Manalapan High School are to be commended for their prompt response to resolve these serious incidents. Cooperation between law enforcement and education officials is critical if we are to provide a safe learning environment for the children of Monmouth County," Valentin said.

If the juvenile is found to be delinquent, the maximum sentence for each of the third-degree charges is two years in the custody of the Juvenile Justice Commission, according to the prosecutor's office.