A threatening voicemail left to a staff member at Mill Pond Elementary in Yelm, Monday, Feb. 19, was deemed a hoax, according to school district officials.
In a post on Yelm Community Schools district website, Superintendent Chris Woods wrote that a staff member at Mill Pond Elementary received a voicemail on a district phone on the morning of Monday, Feb. 19, which indicated a threat to the school.
With help from Yelm Police Department, the threat was later determined to be a hoax.
Yelm Community Schools notified parents, students and faculty in a district-wide call at 5:35 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 19, that the threat made to Mill Pond Elementary was a hoax. Yelm Police determined the call originated from a local number, which was traced to two students within Thurston County.
Law enforcement visited the students’ homes and worked with their parents/guardians to ensure the two culprits have no access to weapons and to ensure that the call was a hoax.
Woods and the district thanked the Yelm Police Department, especially Det. Sgt. Anthony Sparkuhl, and Shannon Powell, YCS director of student support, for their immediate response and investigation throughout the day.
“This level of effort shows the dedication and commitment our community has for the safety of our students and staff,” Woods wrote. “We know these types of incidents can be frightening, and we want to assure you there is no threat to student safety as we return to school [Tuesday].”
Woods said parents should speak with their children about how hoaxes are harmful and can make it more challenging for police and emergency responders to address real emergencies.
“We want to encourage all students and the school community to report anything that could be a threat to the safety of the school[s],” Woods added. “Again, thank you for your continued support and cooperation.”
