A juvenile is in custody in connection with bomb threats at the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School.


Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla said the 17-year-old female was taken into custody this morning.


The sheriff said he believes the motive behind the threats was that other students were bullying her.


The threats caused the school to evacuate on at least three different occasions, and Abdalla said she will most likely face two charges for those threats.


The sheriff said threats were written on women's restroom walls. Surveillance video, handwriting samples and interviews linked the 17-year-old junior to the first two threats, one on March 20 and the next one on April 20.


Because of privacy issues, Jefferson County JVS Superintendent Bill Edwards could not say if the student had caused any other problems at the school. However, Edwards said the girl has been suspended for 10 days with a recommendation for expulsion. The school also plans to conduct a hearing to review the situation with the girls' parents.


Abdalla said, "Hopefully no one else has any ideas of doing the same thing because they'll get apprehended. They'll get caught and they'll have to pay the penalty."

 
Another threat -- the most recent one made on Tuesday -- is still under investigation. Officials said they have not linked that case to the 17-year-old and they are still conducting more interviews.


Anyone with information is asked to call NEWS9 or the Lauttamus Security Crimebusters Tipline at 800-862-BUST.