Students linked to online threats are now being held accountable, state says

Oct. 1—"Dozens " of students charged in a spate of online threats delivered to several schools in West Virginia last month are now facing consequences going well beyond a trip to the principal's office.

That's the word from Rob Cunningham, the deputy cabinet secretary for the state Department of Homeland Security.

"To date, dozens of West Virginia children who are involved in the recent threats have been detained, " Cunningham said in video message posted last Friday as part of his regular reporting on school safety issues in the state.

"These juveniles can be expelled from school and may be charged with the penalty of incarceration—a very real possibility, " the cabinet secretary said.

Morgantown High and Preston High were among the 50 or so schools across the Mountain State that ended up on a hit list circulated via Snapchat.

Schools in neighboring Pennsylvania and Virginia also received the menacing overtures.

A field office of the FBI in Pittsburgh got involved, promising a full investigation and full accountability for any perpetrators involved.

"Those found responsible will be thoroughly investigated, " the office said.

"FBI Pittsburgh will immediately engage with our local, state and federal partners to leverage the full extent of the law."

County prosecutors, too, are already prepared to "vigorously " begin their work, Cunningham said.

That's in the courtroom, though, he said.

The real work, he stresses, is at the kitchen table.

Prevention is better than prosecution every time, said Cunningham, a former West Virginia state trooper who also worked as an FBI agent before taking his overseeing post.

After all, he said, threats have been known to turn into lethal acts.

Which is why the safety official is directing moms, dads and other caregivers to ParentGuidance.org.

The online platform offers 24-hour, seven-day-a-week, sessions with licensed therapists and behavioral health coaches, free of charge.