Crime
Bettye Mae Jack Middle School Lifts Lockdown After TikTok Video Threat of School Shooting
Similar threats have been reported at multiple schools across the nation this week.
Bettye Mae Jack Middle School was placed on lockdown on Tuesday, September 10th, after students alerted school officials to a TikTok video containing a school shooting threat directed at the school.
Law enforcement agencies were immediately notified and responded to the scene to investigate the threat.
While no credible threat has been identified at this time, the school will maintain an increased law enforcement presence on campus for the remainder of the week to ensure the safety and security of students and staff.
Similar threats have been reported at multiple schools across the nation this week.
Bettye Mae Jack Middle School will thoroughly investigate each and every threat to protect the well-being of its students and staff.
The school would like to commend the students for bringing this information to the attention of school personnel. Their quick action, combined with the swift response of school staff, administration, and law enforcement, ensured the safety of students and staff on Tuesday and should be recognized.
Crime
Two Children, Ages 9 and 10, Charged in Brutal Assault and Attempted Murder of 5-Year-Old A’Marie Jones in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Two children, ages 9 and 10, have been formally charged in connection with the brutal assault and attempted murder of a 5-year-old girl A’marie Jones in Cleveland last month, according to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutors confirmed that the 9-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl are facing serious felony charges, including attempted murder, rape, felonious assault, kidnapping, and strangulation.
Because of their ages, both suspects are being charged as juveniles.
The alleged attack occurred on September 13 in a field near East 148th Street and St. Clair Avenue, where investigators say the young victim was discovered severely injured.
The child’s mother, Antavia Kennibrew, previously told that her daughter suffered catastrophic injuries, describing the scene as “unbelievable.” Kennibrew said she had dropped her daughter off at a relative’s home near East 145th Street and St. Clair Avenue that day.
At some point, the 5-year-old reportedly wandered out of the house alone before being attacked.
“When I saw her, she was unrecognizable,” Kennibrew said. “Her hair was scalped from her head. She had bruises and blood all over her body. Her eyes were filled with blood, her lips and mouth were swollen and bleeding, and her nails were filled with dirt and debris.”
First responders rushed the child to the hospital for emergency treatment. Officials say she continues to recover but has suffered severe physical, emotional, and psychological trauma. She is now undergoing ongoing therapy and counseling.
Due to the extreme sensitivity of the case and the involvement of minors, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office has declined to release further details, citing the ongoing investigation and the need to protect the victim’s privacy.
“The investigation remains active,” prosecutors said, noting that authorities are still reviewing evidence and gathering additional information.
Kennibrew says her focus now is on helping her daughter heal:
“I just want her to be able to live like a normal 5-year-old again.”
Cleveland police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the assault.