The Barry County Prosecutor’s  Office on March 22 issued charges against a Hastings High School student in connection with a false bomb threat at the high school, according to a news release from the prosecutor’s office.

The 17 year, whose name is being withheld pending his arraignment, is charged as follows:

Count I:  False report or threat of terrorism, a felony carrying a maximum of 20 years in prison,

Count II:  False report or threat of bomb/harmful device, a felony carrying a maximum of four years in prison,

Count III:  False report or threat of bomb/harmful device, a felony carrying a maximum of four years in prison

The charges stem from an incident on Feb. 28, when the student allegedly made a threat in writing on a bathroom wall at the school.  The threat gave a specific date, which eventually resulted in the decision to close the Hastings Area Schools on March 5.

Hastings city police has been investigating the case for the past several weeks, interviewing witnesses and submitting handwriting samples to the Michigan State Police crime lab for analysis. 

“The prosecutor’s office is working closely with law enforcement to address each report and/or threat received by the schools,” the release said.

“This type of behavior is dangerous, disruptive and unacceptable.  We recognize that a person charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty,” it said.

“Our goal is to ensure the safety of the students and staff at our schools. Our intention, upon a conviction, is to request that the student reimburse Hastings Area Schools for the day officials closed the schools as well as other expenses incurred in the case,” it concluded.