HARRIMAN, TN (Story courtesy of WVLT) – The Roane County Sheriff’s Office said a student and a parent have been charged after threats were made at Harriman Middle School.

According to Chief Deputy Tim Phillips, administration at the school received reports that a student had made threatening statements directed toward other students and staff on Friday. This prompted the School Resource Officer (SRO) to begin an investigation.

During the investigation, Phillips said it was determined the student’s father, identified as Kevin Johnson, had knowledge that these threats were made but didn’t report them to the school or authorities.

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As a result, Phillips said the student was taken into custody and charged with threat of mass violence on school property, and Johnson was charged with failure to report a threat of mass violence on school property or at a school-related activity.

“Thanks to the swift action of the school administration and the Roane County School Resource Officer, the situation was addressed without harm to students or staff,” Phillips said.

Phillips added that the RCSO, Roane County Schools and the 9th Judicial District Attorney’s Office emphasize that threats of violence in schools are taken extremely seriously and that anyone who engages in or fails to report such behavior will be held accountable.