Novi Middle School students charged with making terrorist threats, a 20-year felony

NOVI, Mich. (WJBK) - "I think the message is quite clear," said Novi Police Assist. Chief Scott Baetens. "If you choose to make these allegations or threats against school districts, students, or against staff -- there is a penalty for that."

The Novi School District is one of the latest in an evergrowing list of districts in Metro Detroit where some type of threat of violence has been made. Police in this case were tipped off by a parent who said their child came to them worried another tragedy was brewing.

"They overheard two juvenile students in class talk about shooting the Novi Middle School," Baetens said.

With that information, Novi police informed the district, interviewed the alleged students who admitted to making threats. The students were then placed under arrest -- each charged with making terrorist threats, a 20-year felony.

"Both juveniles were brought in front of a juvenile referee for a detention hearing and they currently remain in custody," said Baetens.

The police met with school officials who decided not to cancel classes, though patrols were ramped up at every school out of precaution. 

The superintendent sent out letters to parents informing them of the threat and arrests. Parents FOX 2 spoke with say there should be zero tolerance for any violent threats made in school.

"I don't know if all [threats] are credible but have to leave it up to law enforcement to investigate and hopefully take the matter seriously," said parent Sara Teller.

As for the kids making the threat, joke or no joke, the punishment is all too real. It is a message parents say needs to be driven home repeatedly.

"This could potentially ruin their lives and their careers," said parent Ron Schwartz.

"The families are distraught and I don't know where the answer is," said grandmother of a student Santash Chaudhry.

Some even say the secure feeling may be gone for good. 

"I'm telling my daughter that it's time for me to move back to Canada and they should consider moving back as well," said Chaudhry.

From the police's point of view, they say if you see something say something. That's exactly what happened Monday night. 

"It took a brave child to speak to their parent and a concerned parent to bring it to our attention," Baetens said. "It worked just as it was intended to."

Police say in the course of the investigation, they found the middle schools students did not have any access to guns or a specific plan of carrying out an attack, but they did say they made the threat. 

They will be back in court on March 8 for the criminal aspect of the case, then they face more penalties from the district if and when they are released from custody.