Stanton Middle School in Kent closed Friday due to threat; 11-year-old student arrested

Kent police arrested an 11-year-old male Stanton Middle School student early Friday for allegedly sending a threat to another student via text message, according to authorities. The student was charged with making terrorist threats.

The 11-year-old and another student were having a text conversation Thursday evening when the suspect made threats of a school shooting. Authorities were eventually notified and they interviewed the suspect and his parents.

The suspect admitted to making threats and showed police his phone conversation. No weapons were found in the suspect's home, according to a release.

The student was arrested shortly before 2 a.m. Friday and is currently in custody at the Portage County Juvenile Detention Center.

The school is being closed today out of an abundance of caution, according to Kent police.

Kent's police department and Kent City Schools are urging parents to have conversations with their children regarding the seriousness of threats and using their cellphones appropriately.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@gannett.com, or on Twitter @athompsonABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Stanton Middle School in Kent closed Friday due to threat; 11-year-old student arrested