At least four students received graphic social media messages that included racial slurs, vulgar and sexual language, and threats of violence.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind — Law enforcement agencies in Monroe County are investigating death threats sent on social media to several students at an elementary school in Bloomington.
The disturbing messages have also prompted extra security at Highland Park Elementary School this week. The messages are graphic and include racial slurs, vulgar and sexual language, and threats of violence.
At least four students received the messages, including Brittney Gess’ 12-year-old daughter, a sixth grader at the school.
“Yeah, it’s scary,” Gess said. “I believe the messages started Saturday night. Somebody got online and started with the racial slurs and the girls were like, ‘Is this a friend of ours? Is this a joke?'”
Then, she said, things got worse. The unknown sender, posing as different classmates, started sharing death threats.
“It escalated so fast. It went from messaging, ‘Who is this?’ ‘Stop.’ to ‘I’m gonna kill you.’ ‘I’m gonna cut you into pieces.’ ‘I’m gonna throw you in a ditch,'” Gess said. “Then the girls blocked that account and then a second account was made under a second student. So these accounts are being made under students that are in the school. But it’s not the actual student? It’s a fake.”
Gess reported the account, which got it suspended.
She also took her daughter off TikTok, told the school what was happening and filed a police report with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.
“Even the sheriff’s department, they were flabbergasted,” Gess said. “They were just like, ‘We don’t usually see stuff like this from such young kids.'”
The Monroe County Community School Corporation sent out emails to parents on Tuesday, explaining the situation and saying they’d have additional security at Highland Park Elementary this week.
Gess’ daughter hasn’t been to school this week. The straight-A student is now afraid and her mom is concerned, too. She wants the anonymous messenger found and kids protected.
“I don’t know what’s going on in this person’s head and that’s what scares me is I don’t know what you’re capable of,” Gess said. “I’d also like to speak to the parents. I just want to talk to them. My daughter’s afraid to go back to school. I mean she wants to go, but…she’s not comfortable.”
Here’s the full email, provided by MCCSC, sent to parents Tuesday:
Yesterday, MCCSC received a report from three of our students that they had received anonymous threatening messages through social media. No threat was made to our school. The families of these children were contacted immediately, and the messages were reported to local law enforcement. We want to assure our families that our school and local authorities take all threats seriously and are thoroughly investigating this matter.
Out of an abundance of caution, we will have additional security presence at our school this week.
We cannot provide additional details at this time to protect student privacy.
As always, we commend students for bringing any concerns to a trusted adult. Please talk with your child to let them know they should always report concerning social media messages. If your child receives a threatening message, please report it to local law enforcement.
The safety and security of our students is always our highest priority. As always, if you see something, say something. Tips can be submitted anonymously via the StopIt App link on our home page (www.mccsc.edu).
13News also received a statement from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department regarding the status of the investigation:
I spoke with Deputy Head and all parties involved are juveniles so names will not be released. All parties and parents have been made aware and the case is being forwarded to DCS and juvenile probation/prosecutor.
It appears a social media platform was used to send the messages.
