Hartland High School Releases Statement Regarding Vandalism, Social Media Threats

has released a statement to parents today asking them to talk to their children about using social media intelligently after events from last Tuesday shut down school for a day and sent the community into a panic.

A Hartland High School senior is thought to have sparked a social media frenzy after sending out threatening messages that went viral last week. 

The student was taken into custody by the Livingston County Sheriff's department and later released to his parents. The identity of the 18-year-old male has not been released.

Principal Chuck Hughes sent this statement out to parents regarding the incident.

"The school district would like you to know that the individuals responsible for the vandalism prior to Tuesday, April 24, 2012 and the social media threats resulting in school being cancelled on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 have been identified. We would like to stress that you have conversations with your children about the proper and safe use of social media as well as the impact that poor decisions have on an individual and the entire family. District personnel are confident that the safety and security of students attending Hartland High School were never compromised."

Hartland Patch has a call in to superintendent Janet Sifferman regarding an update on the student’s punishment and expulsion hearing.