‘Not credible’ bomb threat left at Bellefonte Elementary. Here’s what we know

A “nonspecific bomb threat” was left Friday in a voicemail message on the attendance line of Bellefonte Elementary School but, after consultation with police, it was determined the threat was not credible, according to the school district’s online message to parents .

All after-school and Friday evening activities, such as the home football game against Penns Valley, will continue as planned. An increased police presence is expected.

According to Bellefonte Area’s Facebook page, in a message signed by district Superintendent Roy Rakszawski, the threat was made Friday afternoon shortly before dismissal. Students were dismissed and, in a precautionary measure, staff were released when the buildings were clear.

“Since then, our Director of Security, in consultation with local police, has determined that the threat is not credible and is similar to a trend of similar threats that have been made in neighboring school districts recently,” Rakszawski wrote.

About 160 miles west of Bellefonte, the Pine-Richland School District also received bomb and school shooting threats Friday, albeit in the morning. According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review , which cited law enforcement officials, the threats were not considered credible and originated in Australia.

Those threats were made specifically against Pine-Richland’s middle and high schools and were not classified as “nonspecific.” A week ago, a school in Blair County — Saint Marys Area Middle School — also received threats and sent Altoona schools into a two-hour delay, although the perpetrator was later found to be a 13-year-old girl in Elk County.

It was not immediately known where the call to Bellefonte originated from or who might’ve made it.