Rumors of threat at school prompt parents to pick up their children

Police say false information was spread online to Genoa families

Parents voluntarily evacuated students Friday from Genoa Central School District as Miller County Sheriff's Office worked to investigate reports of threats, MCSO officials said.

About 1:30 p.m. Friday, MCSO Sgt. Alan Keller said Genoa Central schools were pretty much empty.

"We didn't send anybody home," Keller said.

After a Facebook post was made by a parent, a steady stream of parents came to the school to pick up their children, according to law enforcement officials.

"I stood outside to let (parents and students) know it was OK," Keller said.

Interim Superintendent Angie Bryant wrote on Genoa Central School District's Facebook page about 1 p.m. Friday:

"The Miller County Sheriff's Office and Genoa Central administration are investigating rumors that a student had planned to harm others at the high school campus. Investigators and deputies were at the high school campus and assessed the situation as under control, and there was no evidence to sustain the rumor of threats."

On Thursday, a group of students reported to school officials at Genoa Central High School that a male student was making threats, according to law enforcement officials.

Keller said some of the threats were alleged to have been made through text messages and that the sheriff's office investigated the allegations.

"There is a lot of false information," Keller said. "Everything is under control. Nobody is hurt."

No arrests have been made.

Upcoming Events