12-year-old who emailed bomb threats to Maryland schools knew state law would prevent charges newsbhunt

A 12-year-old responsible for emailing seven bomb threats to Maryland schools this month knew that a state law would prevent authorities from bringing charges, police announced Wednesday.

In the state of Maryland, children younger than 13 can only be charged with offenses that constitute a “crime of violence,” according to a statement from Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones.

A police spokesperson confirmed to NBC News the child knew no charges could be brought before speaking to detectives.

Detectives spoke with the suspect who admitted to emailing the threats to Montgomery Blair High School on Oct. 13, 16, 17, as well as Monday and Tuesday, Jones said. The suspect also admitted to being behind separate e-mailed bomb threats on Oct. 15 to Oak View Elementary School and Silver Spring International Middle School.

The suspect was identified, Jones said, with the assistance from the IT staff with the Montgomery County Public Schools.

“It is disheartening to accept that the individual responsible for disrupting the educational process and instilling fear in our community was well aware of the legal limitations surrounding their age,” Jones said. “They understood that they could not be charged under current Maryland statutes.”

Jones also called the threats “reckless and dangerous” and noted the “significant financial and operational burden” they had on his department.

“Dispatching officers and K-9 units to investigate these threats, especially when our resources are already stretched thin, diverted our personnel away from other pressing calls for service. This diversion of resources is unacceptable, and it jeopardizes the safety of our community,” he said.