By Carol Anders Staff Writer
PLYMOUTH — The student responsible for the bomb threat left in a bathroom stall at Plymouth High School on May 6 has allegedly confessed.
On Monday, PHS Jim Condon said, “We have identified the suspect connected to making the bomb threat.”
Condon said, ”Administrators at PHS had a discussion with the individual that resulted in an admission of guilt.”

It is unclear as to what, if any, charges will be filed.
Condon said, “We consider this a serious offense.”
According to Condon, the person responsible could be punished up to a recommendation of expulsion from school by following the schools’ handbook.
Condon said the school would be working with the Plymouth Police Department to determine whether charges will be filed.
Plymouth Police Chief Jim Cox said “The next step is up to the schools.”
He added, “Paperwork will be sent to the prosecutor’s office since the student is a juvenile.”
Condon said the school wants to thank the students, parents, local police, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department and Canine Unit, and the Allen County Sheriff’s Department and Canine Unit for their assistance.
Condon said the students were “wonderful in the way that they reacted.”
He said there were a number of stakeholders that offered information. Condon said all leads were turned over to the Plymouth Police Department for investigation.
Local police were notified immediately of the threat. On Wednesday of last week, a search was made of every area of the school. On Thursday, canine units were brought in that included five dogs trained to search for explosives and other materials. According to Plymouth Schools Superintendent Dan Tryee, the search was extensive and included every area in the building.
Condon said, “While I was principal at Knox High School, there were some ‘call in’ threats made, but nothing that drew attention and caused such a disruption of this magnitude.”
He added, “The students were upset and offended that their school day was interrupted.”
Students were notified in a letter sent home with them to parents that if they decided not to attend classes on Friday, May 9, they would not be penalized. The threat had specifically named last Friday at noon as the time when a bomb would go off.
Students were given two days in which to bring in a note from a parent or guardian stating that they knew where their child was on Friday and that he/she had permission not to attend.”
Condon said, “Some students took advantage of the situation and some thought that the threat was credible. Some were just very concerned.”
According to Condon, only 15 percent of the student body attended classes on Friday.
Condon said, “Sometimes people make very poor choices without regard for others. We are certain that the way it (threat) was handled and the way it will be handled will serve as a deterrent for future offenses.”
Condon also gave credit to the media for the way in which they helped to communicate the threat and the strategies that were being involved to resolve the matter.
Condon said, “We couldn’t communicate it to 1,100 people.”
On Monday, Condon said, “We are having a normal day at PHS. It is rewarding to see students arriving with smiles on their faces rather than the saddened faces we saw on Friday.”
Tryee extended his thanks to Condon, Assistant Principal Dr. Elizabeth Ratliff and Assistant Principal Don Harrison for the manner in which they handled the situation.
Tyree said, “They handled it like seasoned professionals.”
Both Tyree and Condon were in French Lick attending a conference when the threatening note was found. Tyree said the assistant principals followed the policies and procedures to the letter. Tyree and Condon left the conference within an hour after being notified of the problem and made the five-hour or so trip to back to Plymouth.
Tyree said when any state or federal law is involved, the first step is to notify the police. He said they then have to work through the due process at the school level.
“He hopes the student admitting to the threat will have learned a life lesson from the event.  The student had an opportunity to come forward before Friday before the consequences multiplied, but did not step up. It was a joke gone bad,” Tyree said.
Tyree added, “We all feel better that we can again feel safe at PHS and in our community.”
According to Condon, no extra financial cost was incurred during the investigation.
He said, “There was expense in terms of human resources including the maintenance and custodial staffs that helped with the searches as well as faculty members who helped.”
 Cox said the city did not incur any extra expense.