UPDATE: Urine Bottle 'Hoax' Package Evacuates High School
A 17-year-old boy left a bottle of urine in a hallway Tuesday at Havre de Grace High School in what he said was a prank for the last day of school.
Photos
UPDATED (6:39 p.m.)—A student was charged with multiple violations after allegedly placing a bottle of urine to act as a stink bomb in a hallway Tuesday at Havre de Grace High School morning.
The school was evacuated around 11 a.m. after police responded to a report of a suspicious package. The academic building was locked down, with students being taken to the auditorium building.
A 17-year-old boy confessed to the incident and said it was a prank for the final day of school, according to a news release from the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office.
The package was deemed a "hoax" in a 12:45 p.m. automated call from Harford County Public Schools.
The call said, "At this time, the Havre de Grace police have deemed the building safe for students and staff to re-enter. All students have returned safely to their classrooms and instruction will continue as normal for the remainder of the day. Police have confirmed that the suspicious item was a hoax however safety is our number one priority and we will always err on the side of caution. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we safely worked through the situation today. The students should be commended for remaining calm and their excellent behavior throughout this situation."
The 17-year-old boy was charged with representation of a destructive device, disturbing school operations, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct, according to the fire marshal.
The statement from the fire marshal's office said the boy was transported to the Charles H. Hickey Jr. School by the Department of Juvenile Services. He will face a preliminary hearing Wednesday. If convicted of the charges, the boy faces up to 15 months and eight years in jail and/or fines totaling $18,000, according to the fire marshal's office.
Tuesday was the final day of school for students in Harford County Public Schools.
HavredeGraceMom
7:07 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
I picked my son up from school during the evacuation after Ms. Lewis told the students they could call their parents to pick them up. Ms. Walling just left a message that any student who missed a final could go to school Weds. morning at 9am to make it up if it was going to affect their final grade. What's up with that? How are we supposed to get them there and back? I think a lot of parents work and the kids can't walk from up on the hill without risking their lives! Not a well thought out plan.
Sharon Nance
2:54 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I wouldn't expect any less from those two idividuals.
ConcernedParent
10:20 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Are classes really being held tommorow? Although my son has heard rumors from friends that there is, a message from the Communications Dept. has not been disseminated reflecting what the actual plan is with regards to students completing their final exams after todays events. So, is there school tomorrow or not?
Tom Barnes
9:00 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Oy... kids. Of course having kids in the school, I have heard a couple different reaons the boy did this. If any of those rumors are true, I think mental health is an issue with him and he should be admitted for eval. Not sure if it was so much a criminal act as being a knucklehead.
As for returning to the school...... Between watching 'Nemo' and the 'Lion King' in few days in school (I kid you not - ask your kids) , I think if the finals were that important the teachers would have used their time a lot wiser in the classroom during the past week of school and put off the goof-off stuff til these last couple of days... Maybe if Tomback had done what other counties did and ask for the exception they received, they could have had the kids out last week. The man wastes our time and our tax money... Sorry, HCPS, we made summer plans. Deal with it.
Jessica
11:54 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
how dramatic LOL
antionella Anderson
1:12 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I understand the prank had many people scared and some upset, but I sure hope and pray they don't drag this child through the mud for a harmless bottle of urine. I am not saying his behavior was acceptable, but please don't forget, he is a teenager, and often time they don't make bright decisions and am sure he had no ill intent