FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - An 11-year-old boy appeared in juvenile court after he was accused of causing a major scare at a Broward County school.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the bomb threat was called in on Wednesday at Somerset Academy in Deerfield Beach, which prompted an evacuation from students and the facility.
“We are in Deerfield Beach. The school is one of the Somerset Academy schools,” said 7Skyforce reporter Ralph Rayburn as he hovered above the scene. “You’ll see some police officers there. It warranted a student is being removed from the facility.”
The juvenile got a lesson in the law as he stood before Judge Michael Orlando on Thursday. He appeared in court with his mother and grandfather by his side.
“Mom and Grandfather, thank you for coming all the way down to the courthouse today,” said Orlando.
Prosecutors told the judge that while the boy has no criminal history, he will still be assigned to house arrest until his case is heard.
“We would just be asking for no return to Somerset Elementary without school board approval, no witness contact, no weapons, firearms or ammunition, and no internet access unless supervised for school purposes only,” said Assistant State Attorney Elaina Colaianni.
Orlando reiterated to the boy that what he did, making a false bomb threat, is serious and that if he doesn’t follow the rules, he can make things worse.
“You’re not to leave the home unless you’re in the presence of your grandfather or your mother. Do you understand?” said Orlando. “If there are any violations of his home detention house arrest or any court order, he will go to the detention center and sit and wait until Judge Eliza Williams is ready to see him, and that could take a while.”
The 11-year-old is the latest student arrested for making a threat against his school. During the first week of school, two teens were arrested for making online threats, one against the School Board Administration Building and another against Cooper City High School.
On top of those threats, students across South Florida are now getting used to regular active shooter drills during school hours.
School officials have stressed time and time again that the threats are no joke and will be taken seriously.
“When it comes to threats against a school, it’s not a joke,” a BSO spokesperson said in a public statement announcement posted to social media.
It remains too early to tell whether or not the boy will be allowed back into a Broward County school. The school board will reach out to the family directly.
The boy’s next court date has been scheduled for Oct. 9.
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