Teen gets probationary sentence

HOWELL — According to a press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, on Nov. 27 a 14-year-old girl who lives in Howell received a one-year probationary sentence from state Superior Court Judge James J. McGann after pleading guilty to initiating a false public alarm.

The probationary sentence was conditioned upon the teenager completing 40 hours of community service.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred on April 24. On that date, according to the press release, the girl entered a rest room on the second floor of Howell Middle School South and scrawled a threat to bomb the school on a bathroom tissue dispenser.

All students were evacuated from the school once the message was discovered.

The investigation was handled by the Howell Township Police Department. Police from Wall Township, Brick Town-ship, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department all assisted in the juvenile’s eventual arrest.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis. A. Valentin credited the cooperative effort of the law enforcement agencies that played a role in the case.

“The academic institutions of Mon-mouth County must remain havens for the education of our children,” Valentin said. “Monmouth County law enforcement agencies are committed to ensuring the safety of our students.”