Times Observer photo by Ann-Marie Gariepy Pictured is the Beaty Warren Middle School main entrance. City police were on site at the start of the school day to ensure student safety. Two 13-year-olds have been charged with terroristic threats and disorderly conduct after an investigation into threats made Wednesday.

Two 13-year-olds have been charged following reported threats targeting Beaty Warren Middle School on Wednesday.

The Warren Police Department said late Thursday that the two youths have been charged with terroristic threats and disorderly conduct after an investigation into the threats. Police had said in a statement on Wednesday that charges were expected.

The threats Wednesday were preceded by a threat involving Beaty Warren parents in two days. Gary Weber, Warren County School District superintendent, issued a statement at 11 p.m. Tuesday saying he was notified Tuesday evening around 7:30 or 8 p.m. that during breakfast that morning a Beaty student had made a school shooting threat. Later last evening during dinner one of the students’ peers informed their parents that they had heard this threat being made. The parents immediately notified the Warren Police Department, which investigated the threat. Unable to further corroborate any potential threat with additional witnesses at the time of Weber’s announcement, the threat remains under investigation

“Attendance is down considerably today even though there is no threat,” Weber said Wednesday. “Now they’re (the absent students) are not getting their education today. Fear (of being in school) is being created where there is no danger.”

Such situations have prompted a legislative response over the past couple of years – though the state House of Representatives hasn’t yet acted on them. In April, the state Senate approved legislation sponsored by state Sen. Michele Brooks, R-Greenville and formerly one of Warren County’s two Senate representatives, aimed at cracking down on false emergency threats targeting schools. Senate Bill 96 would establish new felony penalties for individuals who make hoax emergency reports involving educational institutions. If signed into law, making a false report of an emergency threat to a school would be classified as a third-degree felony, with provisions allowing courts to impose financial penalties to recover the costs incurred by taxpayers for emergency response efforts.

“Ensuring the safety of our students, teachers and school staff is of the utmost importance,” Brooks said in April. “False emergency threats not only cause widespread fear and disruption but also place an unnecessary burden on law enforcement and emergency responders, diverting resources from actual emergencies.”

The legislation comes in response to an increase in hoax threats made against schools across Pennsylvania, causing undue panic among students and parents while straining local emergency services. Weber said during the 2024-25 school year, between August and March, the district handled just under 100 threats.

“This bill sends a clear message that making false emergency threats is not a prank – it is a serious crime with real consequences,” said Brooks. “I appreciate my Senate colleagues for recognizing the importance of this measure, and I look forward to working toward its passage in the House.”

The bill also passed the state Senate in 2024 and is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen public safety and ensure that threats against schools are met with appropriate legal consequences. It now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.