Kenosha elementary school threat; judge finds boy delinquent

A Kenosha County judge on Thursday found a boy, now 14 years old, delinquent after he admitted to a felony charge of terrorist threats related to a Kenosha elementary school scare late last year. 

In court

What they're saying:

The teen appeared in Kenosha County Judge Jodi Meier's courtroom on Thursday morning.

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"(Juvenile) is going to admit to count one, dismiss read in count two. There’s no agreement to disposition," said Defense Attorney Terry Rose.

Prosecutors were sent to begin presenting evidence in the case against the Kenosha Unified School District student, who was also facing a weapons charge. That was dismissed, but read in.

Roosevelt Elementary School, Kenosha

"You threatened to cause death of or bodily harm to any person, or damage any person’s property. And next, that you intended to cause public panic or fear?" Judge Meier said.

Thursday’s hearing lasted less than 15 minutes. The bulk of that time was spent with Judge Meier going over the plea questionnaire and waiver of constitutional rights with the boy, and that he understood it.

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Earlier this month, the boy's attorney withdrew a not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect plea – following a doctor's report.

What's next:

The teen will remain in custody until he is due back in court on Jan. 27 for a disposition/sentencing hearing. 

School scare

The backstory:

Police said on Nov. 7, 2024, the boy – who was 13 years old at the time – tried to get into Roosevelt Elementary wearing black and carrying bags. The boy left after a school staff member confronted him.

FOX6 News reviewed court filings that said a school principal called police, believing the suspect to be a boy who had called out sick that day.

Surveillance from inside Roosevelt Elementary School in Kenosha

The scare prompted a search in the community. About five hours after the search began, court filings said the boy called police to turn himself in. 

When police searched the teen's house, they did not find firearms. But they did find Airsoft replica firearms of a rifle and handguns. Police arrested the boy on a charge of terroristic threats. 

Court filings said detectives learned the boy searched his school computer for "school shootings" and found what they believed to be school blueprints on a cellphone. 

The boy told detectives he went to the school to "sell candy," but told social workers it was to "scare people."

The Source: Information in this report is from the Kenosha Police Department, Kenosha Unified School District and prior FOX6 News coverage.

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