9-year-old arrested, accused of making terror threat against NY school

WALLKILL, New York (WABC) -- A 9-year-old child is under arrest in Orange County, accused of making a terror threat against a school.

Police say the threatening message was left on an answering machine at the Maple Hill Elementary school in Wallkill on Dec. 26th.

The caller, who lives in Middletown, allegedly threatened to harm students when they returned to class after their holiday break.

An investigation led to the arrest.

The child has been charged with making a terroristic threat and aggravated harassment, and was released to a guardian.

Parents at the school were alerted to the situation via text alert.

Some parents feel the police may have overreacted, while others say any threat should be looked into and examined.

Police would not say if the student had the means to carry out the threat, or why the child might have made the threat in the first place.