Officials: Clifton students' 'bomb' was Altoids tin, salad dressing, cinnamon sticks

CLIFTON, N.J. (WABC) -- Officials released more information Friday in the case of four New Jersey elementary school students who were allegedly behind a plot to blow up Clifton High School.

The children, ages 10 and 11, are fifth-graders at Clifton Elementary School #11.

Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes said it was determined that the group devised an immature and unrealistic plot to bomb the high school in response to a perceived bullying incident involving someone one of them knows, who attends the high school.

The confiscated "bomb" consisted of an empty mini Altoids tin that contained vegetable oil, salad dressing and cinnamon sticks. Officials say it was neither flammable nor dangerous, nor did any student possess any type of lighting device.

At no time were the students of School #11 or Clifton High School in danger.

None of the juveniles were arrested, taken into custody or charged in this matter. They will be required to enter into a Station House Adjustment Agreement with the Clifton Police Department, wherein they will be required to undergo mandatory counseling. A station house adjustment is a diversion from formal prosecution, which is reserved for first time offenders.

Additionally, the juveniles will be required to undergo a psychiatric evaluation before they are allowed to return to school. If they fail to adhere to the counseling condition or the psychiatric evaluation requirement, the juveniles may face formal charges.