Student made up story about intruder, provoking 2 school lockdowns
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CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
A lockdown at two west suburban schools Friday was called after a "suspicious person" was reported and a girl was said to be restrained in a restroom.
On Monday, Addison Police said a student had admitted to fabricating the story.
Officials wouldn't discuss discipline or motive due to the child's age, but Police Chief Bill Hadyen called it a "positive outcome to an unfortunate circumstance."
Both the police department and the school district will now review the procedures to determine what, if anything, could be done better next time. Both said that the preliminary reviews indicate things were handled properly.
At the height of Friday's lock down, parents became overcome with emotion as police surrounded Indian Trail and Army Trail Elementary school in Addison searching for a reported intruder. They set up perimeters and could be seen on the rooftop searching the premises.
"We did not find anyone suspicious inside the school at all," Hayden announced on Friday.
After more than three hours, an intruder was never found, the lockdown was lifted and parents poured into the school's entrance as students were released.
"At first I thought it was a drill but then we were there and I was freaking out a little bit," said Ashley Hilgenberg, a student.
On Monday, Addison Police confirmed that on late Friday they had determined the girl's story to be fabricated. The school superintendent indicated that the girl's "guardians" were extremely cooperative and very sorry.
School will resume Tuesday after the holiday weekend and staff will talk to students about the importance of honesty and not spreading rumors through social media.
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