Flora School Bomb Threat a Hoax, Juvenile in Custody

Flora police and school officials addressed a bomb threat at their junior high building Thursday and took a juvenile into custody for making the threat.

Shortly after 8am, Flora Police Department received information of the possible threat at Floyd Henson Junior High School. Officers responded to the school and began gathering evidence. Officers began working with school officials and began evacuating students, busing them to the high school. The Secretary of State Police Hazardous Device Unit was called and completed a search of the junior high building and determined that the school was secure.

Through the efforts of the School Resource Officer and detective and patrol officers, Flora police were able to identify the subject responsible for the threat. The juvenile was in custody at last report. The Flora Police Department was working with the Clay County State's Attorney's Office and Clay County Probation Office on charges being filed.

The Flora Police Department thanked Flora Unit 35 School District, Clay County Sheriff's Office, Flora Police Reserves, Secretary of State Police Hazardous Device Unit, Clay County State's Attorney's Office, Illinois Law Enforcement Alert System (ILEAS) and the Illinois State Police for their assistance.

Flora police said they try to be as transparent as possible and keep the community up-to-date in such situations. They said these are fast-moving events and safety comes first for all involved.