MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – Causey, BC Rain, Scarborough and Booker T. Washington Secondary School. These are just a few of the local schools that have faced threats since the start of the school year.

More than 15 juveniles have been arrested in connection with school threats since August, according to Mobile Police.

This does not include students in Baldwin County and a few others in Okaloosa, Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Today, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office reported the arrest of one person. 12 year old boy After he allegedly threatened to bring a gun to Shoal River Secondary School to kill two students who were reportedly bullying him.

FOX10 News Reporter Natalie Williamson spoke with Mobile County Juvenile Judge Edmond Naman to learn how these cases are handled.

Judge Naman said that when threats are investigated, the FBI steps in to ensure the person is identified and the community remains safe.

He said the first step in stopping such threats starts at home.

“Monitor your children’s social media,” Naman said. “Think twice before allowing a young child to have a phone and access it without any supervision. We have children as young as 10 years old who are brought to me for threats, and most of them are not credible, most of them are immature, but there are enough credible threats made by children now. “The situation right now is scary.”

Naman pointed out that social media use and increased mental health issues are contributing factors.

He said when youth arrive at the Strickland Youth Center, a mental health evaluation is performed before they are released to ensure the safety of both the community and the individual.

“I think social media has fueled a lot of hate, a lot of resentment, a lot of feelings that they’re on the verge of exploding, which theoretically could actually happen,” he said. “When this happens, we have kids sitting here because they are making threats and there is a belief that they are credible. First of all, they sit here until I undergo a full psychological examination and feel safe to return them to society. No attachment, no quit. They will stay here for a while.”

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