By Kristin Rover
Sun staff

Police are still investigating a bomb threat at Amelia High School that sent students home Jan. 9.

Sheriff A.J. “Tim” Rodenberg said so far police know that the threat was called in, but are not sure of who the caller was.

“It was one phone call that indicated there were multiple bombs,” Rodenberg said. “They didn’t say specifically where. It appeared to be a hoax.”

The threat was called in at about 12:05 p.m. on Jan. 9, Rodenberg said.

“Students were evacuated from the high and middle schools while bomb dogs and handlers from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office checked the premises,” Rodenberg said. “This was completed successfully and no bombs were found.”

Occasionally students looking for an early holiday will call in a bomb threat on a Monday or Friday, Rodenberg said.

“It’s unfortunate because it does tie up a lot of time and expense,” Rodenberg said. “In this case we had to call in other units and dogs to come out. That inconvenienced them and caused additional expense.”

During the evacuation students were held outside until the sheriff’s department was able to clear both the high school performing arts center and the middle school gym, West Clermont Superintendent Dr. Keith Kline said in a statement after the incident.

“Students were quickly returned to safe and warm locations until we could dismiss students to parents,” Kline said. “High school drivers were permitted to leave in their cars after they signed out and busses were available to keep students out of the cold.”

District officials and the Amelia High School and Amelia Middle School staff take safety and security of students and staff very seriously, Kline said.

“I appreciate the efforts of the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office for their quick and thorough response, all of our staff members for making sure our students were safe and our parents and community for their patience and understanding as we worked to make sure everyone stayed safe and warm,” Kline said.

Rodenberg said if anyone has additional any information about the threat they can call (513) 732-7545.