The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office announced on Monday that a 12-year-old girl has been charged in connection with threats made against Aiken County schools, a day after an 11-year-old was caught doing the same and charged.
Aiken authorities said a post was made Sunday through Instagram, threatening several middle schools throughout the City of Aiken, as well as City of North Augusta. An 11-year-old girl was identified as the creator of the post. She has been charged with multiple counts of student threats and threatening a public official, and she was referred to the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.
Monday’s investigation began after Aiken County sheriff’s investigators identified a 12-year-old suspect involved in threats to Aiken County schools. Investigators found that the juvenile suspect modified the existing threat to schools and began circulating it. She has been charged with student threats and referred to the DJJ.
Sheriff Michael Hunt praised the community’s response, saying, “We are grateful to the citizens that alerted school officials and law enforcement. Our office will continue to work closely with the Aiken County Public School District to ensure a safe learning environment for students, teachers, and staff.”
Both investigations are ongoing. The Aiken Department of Public Safety confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the schools involved and continues to work in partnership with school officials to maintain safety.
