Police arrest 16-year-old girl in Whitehall-Yearling swatting incident

Detectives with the Whitehall Division of Police arrested Friday a juvenile suspect accused of calling in a false report of a student with a gun Thursday to Whitehall-Yearling High School, police said.

The suspect, a 16-year-old girl who lives in Columbus and does not attend Whitehall-Yearling High School, turned herself in after learning detectives were searching for her. She was arrested at around 11:30 a.m. and charged with swatting, a fourth-degree felony.

The Dispatch is not naming her at this time because she is a minor and is not facing charges in adult court.

Whitehall-Yearling High School was placed on lockdown after receiving a prank phone call reporting a student with a gun. The Whitehall Division of Police investigated and searched the school and determined there was no credible threat, according to a statement from the school.

"Within 24 hours, our detectives had the suspect in custody," Whitehall Police Chief Mike Crispen said in a Friday press release. "We do not, and will not, take these matters as a joke."

The juvenile later confessed to placing the prank phone call, according to the release.

If convicted, she could be committed to the Ohio Department of Youth Services for at least six months or pay a $400 fine.

NHart@dispatch.com

@NathanRHart

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Police arrest 16-year-old girl in Whitehall-Yearling swatting incident