Teen charged in threat against West Morris-Mendham High

A 15-year-old male has been charged with scrawling a threat about a shooting on a bathroom wall at West Morris Mendham High School, an alleged crime that led to an increased police presence Monday on the Mendham campus.

The juvenile, whose identity cannot publicly be released because he is a minor, was arrested and charged Monday night with creating a false public alarm at the high school on Friday.

The youth spent the night in the Morris County Juvenile Detention Center. During a hearing Tuesday before Superior Court Family Division Judge Catherine Enright, Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Samantha DeNegri asked that the teen be kept at the detention center and undergo a psychological evaluation.

DeNegri stated in general terms to the judge that the youth is suspected of leaving a message on a bathroom wall that refers to a school shooting.

Defense lawyer Christopher Hartmann asked that the teen be released immediately into the custody of his father, who was present in court. Despite DeNegri's concerns the boy may have access to guns owned by a relative, Hartmann said the weapons are off-limits, locked-away and inaccessible to the youth.

"No one has established the subject has access to any weapons," Hartmann said.

Hartmann stipulated that police had probable cause to arrest the teen, negating the need for a hearing at which Mendham Detective Chris Irons was prepared to testify about evidence against the youth.

Enright ruled that the teen would remain housed at the detention center at least until a hearing on Dec. 16. She said the allegation is "serious...with reference to weapons" and the boy appears to be exhibiting "out-of-control behavior."

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office late Sunday released a statement that said security would be beefed-up at the high school in response to a threat but it did not provide any specifics.

Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@njpressmedia.com