Philadelphia counselor on leave after Facebook post on 'die-in'

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. -- There was plenty of emotion to go around during the 4.5 minute "die-in" demonstration near Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia Sunday.

Faith leaders organized the protest that took place following the Eagle's game.

The peaceful demonstration, however, did attract critics who questioned the timing.

But it was one social media post in particular that's attracting a lot of attention.

The Facebook post came under the account of MaryKate Nyman Blankenburg, a guidance counselor at Central Bucks West High School.

It read, "If my child cannot get to the Eagles game due to protesters, I will personally SHOOT everyone one of them. You've been warned idiots."

Action News spoke with Central Bucks parents who say it's nothing short of unacceptable.

"I personally think she should get fired, nobody should talk like that, especially a teacher," parent Samantha Kraus of Doylestown, Pa. said.

"Frankly, it was a bad choice of judgment and it's a little bit further because it's a teacher and they are representatives of the community and the children look up to them," parent Debbie Stein of Buckingham, Pa. said.

Central Bucks Schools Superintendent Dr. David Weitzel issue a statement reading, in part, "Responding with urgency and concern, we immediately began an investigation, including verification of the source, and we will take appropriate action once we learn all the facts."

The 37-year-old guidance counselor has already been placed on paid administrative leave and the District Attorney's Office has launched a formal investigation.

Action News went to speak with Blankenburg at her home in Lansdale, but nobody answered the door.

Now, no one we spoke with believes the Facebook post constitutes a real threat.

But most agreed, this is a prime example of how venting your feelings and social media can come back to bite you.

"You have to be careful what you say and think before you say it," Jennifer Quinn of Quakertown, Pa. said.

The Intelligencer published they spoke with Blankenburg by phone Sunday night. They quoted her say saying, a child "might have gotten hold of my iPad" while she was teaching Sunday school.

The investigation continues.