At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 22 law enforcement officials were called to Boys & Girls Town of Missouri, located at 13160 County Rd. 3610 in St. James, for a suspected bomb threat.
The Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, St. James police and fire departments, Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Missouri State Fire Marshall, the Rolla Rural Fire Department and a team of bomb and arson experts from Fort Leonard Wood in Waynesville responded to the call for assistance, according to Marie McGeehan, director of communications at Boys & Girls Town of Missouri.
McGeehan said that the team from Fort Leonard Wood used dogs to help with the search and residents and staff were in a safe area while the search was taking place.
“To my understanding, they did bring bomb-sniffing dogs which enabled us to do a thorough search,” McGeehan said.
McGeehan commented that no threats were found, but the source of the threat is not known.
“To my understanding, this is an ongoing investigation,” McGeehan said.
McGeehan said that residents eventually were able to return to their cottages.
“According to my reports nothing was found, which was why children and staff could return to the cottages,” McGeehan said.
Children gained clearance to return to their cottages at approximately 10:30 p.m., according to McGeehan.
Todd Martensen, director of social services at Boys & Girls Town, initially handled the situation that night. Charlotte Christ, vice president of the South Central region, was unavailable during the event, according to McGeehan.
McGeehan said Boys and Girls Town has never experienced a bomb threat.
“Authorities are looking into it, and we are working with authorities on this investigation,” McGeehan said.
McGeehan commented that the children of Boys and Girls Town were recuperating after the occurrence.
“The children are receiving counseling and proper care during this time,” McGeehan said.
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At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 22 law enforcement officials were called to Boys & Girls Town of Missouri, located at 13160 County Rd. 3610 in St. James, for a suspected bomb threat.
The Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, St. James police and fire departments, Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Missouri State Fire Marshall, the Rolla Rural Fire Department and a team of bomb and arson experts from Fort Leonard Wood in Waynesville responded to the call for assistance, according to Marie McGeehan, director of communications at Boys & Girls Town of Missouri.
McGeehan said that the team from Fort Leonard Wood used dogs to help with the search and residents and staff were in a safe area while the search was taking place.
“To my understanding, they did bring bomb-sniffing dogs which enabled us to do a thorough search,” McGeehan said.
McGeehan commented that no threats were found, but the source of the threat is not known.
“To my understanding, this is an ongoing investigation,” McGeehan said.
McGeehan said that residents eventually were able to return to their cottages.
“According to my reports nothing was found, which was why children and staff could return to the cottages,” McGeehan said.
Children gained clearance to return to their cottages at approximately 10:30 p.m., according to McGeehan.
Todd Martensen, director of social services at Boys & Girls Town, initially handled the situation that night. Charlotte Christ, vice president of the South Central region, was unavailable during the event, according to McGeehan.
McGeehan said Boys and Girls Town has never experienced a bomb threat.
“Authorities are looking into it, and we are working with authorities on this investigation,” McGeehan said.
McGeehan commented that the children of Boys and Girls Town were recuperating after the occurrence.
“The children are receiving counseling and proper care during this time,” McGeehan said.
