Fake Social Media Post In Region About School Violence Leads To Arrest Of 13-Year-Old

The student was arrested on Monday, Oct.  28, at Liberty Middle and High Schools for the post made on Friday, Oct. 25, from Liberty.

According to Liberty Police Chief Steven D'Agata, early on Oct. 25, both schools briefly went into a lockdown due to an accidental activation of the school's automated warning system due to maintenance.

D'Agata said there was no threat to either building, and Liberty Police and school officials searched both schools, lifted the lockdown, and returned both schools to normal operations.

Approximately two hours later, a fake image purporting to be an actual communication from the Liberty Central School District began circulating on social media. The chief said the fraudulent image falsely claimed that the prior lockdown had been prompted by an incident that harmed students and teachers.

An investigation identified the originator of the fake post as a 13-year-old Liberty Middle School student. The student was charged with falsely reporting an incident and was petitioned to Sullivan County Family Court. 

The student was not named due to their age.

 “This malicious, fraudulent post was made with the clear intent of frightening, alarming, and disrupting the lives of students, teachers, parents, and the entire school community," D'Agata said. "For someone to falsely claim that harm came to students and staff in a potential tragedy is deeply disturbing."

D'Agata asked that parents talk to their children about the "real consequences" of reckless behavior on social media.

"Our department, along with Liberty Central School District staff, remains deeply committed to the safety and security of all students and staff," he added.

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