TIFTON, Ga. (WALB) - A 12-year-old juvenile has been charged with making terroristic threats following an online threat directed at Annie Belle Clark Elementary School, the Tifton Police Department announced today.

According to the release from TPD, on Tuesday, Oct. 7, police received credible information regarding a potential threat to the safety of staff and students in the Tift County School District. The threat, which was made via social media, specifically targeted Annie Belle Clark Elementary, prompting swift action from local authorities.

Tifton Police launched an immediate investigation, collaborating with the Tift County Board of Education, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The agencies worked together throughout the night to identify and locate the source of the threat.

By the early hours of Wednesday morning, investigators had tracked the threat to a 12-year-old individual. The juvenile was taken into custody and formally charged with:

• Terroristic threats and acts (Felony) under Georgia law.

The child is currently awaiting a hearing.

Authorities credited the rapid resolution of the case to the strong coordination between local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, as well as the Tift County School System’s security team.

As the suspect is a minor, no identifying information will be released. The Tifton Police Department emphasized its commitment to protecting the privacy of youth involved in the justice system, noting that its goal is to balance public safety with the principles of rehabilitation and confidentiality.

Anyone with further information about the case is urged to contact the Tifton Police Department at (229) 382-3132 or submit an anonymous tip through Tip411. To use Tip411, text the keyword TIFTONPD followed by your tip to 847411.

Stay tuned for further updates.

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