JOLIET, Ill. – Two girls were arrested for making threats toward Joliet area schools on social media.
The Joliet Police Department said detectives began investigating threats of harm made toward Joliet area schools on social media. Detectives later identified a 14-year-old girl as an individual who possibly made the threats.
On Sunday, detectives met with the girl and her mother at their home and brought the girl to the police department for questioning. She was later released pending further investigation.
On Monday, the girl’s mother took her back to the police department. Upon further questioning, the girl admitted to creating the threat, which has been deemed bogus, on social media. She was then taken into custody and has since been identified as a student at Joliet West High School, according to investigators.
Police said detectives found no evidence indicating the threat was credible during the investigation.
As police investigated the original threat made toward Joliet area schools, they found another social media threat that involved a Dirksen Junior High student.
During that investigation, a 12-year-old girl was found to be responsible for making the threat. She was taken into custody at her home for felony disorderly conduct and taken to the police department for questioning before being subsequently released to a parent.
Police said they are aware of additional similar posts circulating on social media and stressed that none of the posts have been found to be credible threats.
“The Joliet Police Department takes all threats directed towards our schools and students very
seriously. We remain committed to ensuring the safety of our community, and we work closely
with all of our educational partners to address any potential threats swiftly and thoroughly,” the police department said.