A 16-year-old Edinburgh teen accused of making a threat against the Simon Youth Academy in February will be released from electronic monitoring if his most recent drug screen comes back clean.
The teen appeared Wednesday morning in Bartholomew County Juvenile Court for an admit/deny hearing in his case, in which he is accused of a Level 6 felony charge of intimidation. He declined to make any admission in the case and a fact-finding hearing was set for 2 p.m. May 30 for three hours of testimony.
He is accused of showing a sketch depicting a shooting scene to some of his classmates Feb. 21, with the drawing containing images of a classroom, a semi-automatic pistol and bodies identified by student and teacher names, court records state. The student attended the school for at-risk students at Edinburgh Premium Outlets and has been on electronic monitoring since the incident, court officials said.
An additional charge of Class B misdemeanor possession of marijuana was dismissed Wednesday by Magistrate Heather Mollo after the prosecution and the defense agreed that there was a jurisdictional issue with it.
Deputy Prosecutor Lindsey Kay agreed to dismiss the misdemeanor because the juvenile lives in Johnson County and the offense is alleged to have occurred there. Kay and defense attorney Michael DeArmitt told the teen’s family that Johnson County officials could file the charge there if they wish.
Juvenile probation officials said they did not have a problem with the teen being taken off electronic monitoring and placed on home supervision as long as results from a recent drug screen come back negative. Home supervision means the teen will have to follow the same schedule and requirements set forth by juvenile probation, but does not have to wear an electronic monitoring device. Juvenile probation officers can randomly check to make sure the schedule and rules are being followed.
The teen is one of three who are being prosecuted through Bartholomew County juvenile court for school threats made Feb. 20 or Feb. 21, a week after the fatal school shooting incident in Parkland, Florida. Felony intimidation charges have been filed against the three.
One of the students, a 16-year-old former Columbus East student charged with two felony intimidation charges, is awaiting a ruling from Mollo on whether his case will be waived to adult court.
