Kenosha school threat; judge finds 14-year-old boy delinquent
Surveillance from inside Roosevelt Elementary School in Kenosha
KENOSHA, Wis. - A Kenosha County judge on Thursday found a now 14-year-old boy a delinquent after he admitted to a felony charge of terrorist threats related to a Kenosha elementary school scare late last year.
In court
What we know:
Prosecutors were sent to begin presenting evidence on Thursday, Jan. 16, in the case against the Kenosha Unified School District student, who was also facing a weapons charge. That was dismissed, but read in.
Police say on Nov. 7, 2024, the boy - then 13 - tried to get into Roosevelt Elementary wearing black and had bags with him. The boy left after being confronted by a school staff member. The scare prompted an hours-long search of the community.
Thursday’s hearing lasted less than 15 minutes. The bulk of that time was spent with Judge Jodi Meier going over the plea questionnaire and waiver of constitutional rights with the boy, and that he understood it.
Teen accused in Kenosha
The teen appeared in Kenosha County Judge Jodi Meier's courtroom on Thursday morning. Earlier this month, the boy's attorney withdrew a not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect plea – following a doctor's report.
The backstory:
The boy was arrested at his home hours after surveillance video showed a boy trying to get into Roosevelt Elementary School. The boy was dressed in black, carrying a backpack and bag.
The boy was stopped by staff and questioned. He then left, walking off school property. The incident prompted an hours-long search in Kenosha.
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Court filings reviewed by FOX6 News say a school principal called police, believing the suspect to be the 13-year-old boy, who had called out sick that day.
Timeline:
About five hours after the search began, filings reviewed by FOX6 News say the boy called police to turn himself in.
When police searched the teen's house, they did not find firearms. But they did find Airsoft replica firearms of a rifle and handguns. Police arrested the boy on a charge of terroristic threats.
Kenosha school threat; no real guns found; teen says 'intent to scare students'
A 13-year-old Kenosha Unified School District student was arrested at his home on Thursday, Nov. 7 after he attempted to enter Roosevelt Elementary School while armed.
Filings say detectives learned the boy search his school computer for "school shootings" and found what it believed to be school blueprints on a cellphone.
The boy told detectives he went to the school to "sell candy," but told social workers it was to "scare people."
What's next:
The teen will remain in custody until he is due back in court on Jan. 27 for a disposition/sentencing hearing.
The Source: The post was produced by FOX6 News. The information was also provided by the Kenosha Police Department and Kenosha Unified School District.