School threat by 11-year-old leads to arrest of custodian

POINT PLEASANT, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A school custodian was arrested this month on charges stemming from a school threat issued by an 11-year-old member of the student population.

The Mason County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office reports that, on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, authorities with the New Haven Police Department conducted an investigation at New Haven Elementary School with regard to a shooting threat made by an 11-year-old-student.

The student – identified only as an 11-year-old male – allegedly made threats to shoot himself as well as a classmate using a gun which he planned to retrieve from the vehicle of the school’s custodian, 39-year-old John H. Kauff, Jr.

Investigating law enforcement officers were given consent to conduct a search of the vehicle in question and were able to discover a firearm inside which had reportedly not been legally secured.

Kauff was arrested by Chief D. Hardwick of the New Haven Police Department on Friday, September 13, 2024, and was transported to the Magistrate Court of Mason County to await arraignment.

The unidentified 11-year-old juvenile involved is said to be awaiting to progression of the juvenile detention process, which as of September 13, 2024, had already been initiated by the Mason County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, who have dismissed suspicions of any subsequent threat in relation to the incident.

“Please note that there has been no threat since the alleged incident on September 11,” said the Mason County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in a statement.