South Jersey Teen Charged After Clown Threats Against Classmates: Police

A 13-year-old South Jersey girl has been charged for making threatening clown-related threats through social media to her classmates over the past weekend, according to police.

Police in Washington Township, Gloucester County, say the teen, who has not been identified due to her age, has been charged with cyber harassment.

Authorities say she posted several online threats that clowns would be looking to harm people.

"The threats became very specific and identified several victims by name, listing their address, and other personal information," police said.

Police, working with school district officials, launched an investigation. A suspect was identified Monday "after a thorough investigation."

The female juvenile suspect confessed to creating the online threats targeting Washington Township students.

She has been released from police custody and the investigation will continue as needed.

The development came hours after police in Philadelphia say a 13-year-old was behind similar clown-related online threats. In that case, the messages posted on social media threatened school shootings and general violence in Philadelphia.

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Patch file photo