Brownsburg rallies around troubled kid

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (WISH) - One day after a lockdown at Brownsburg High School the community is now rallying behind the student responsible.

Reaction was swift inside Brownsburg High School Monday morning. A student claimed he had been attacked. The school was placed on lockdown. Police were called in. The investigation found the teenager, a junior, made up the story.

"We've determined without a shadow of a doubt that this is a false report and we are going to pursue legal action," said Superintendent Jim Snapp.

That decision motivated people in the Brownsburg Community to speak out on Facebook.

"By sending a person to jail for harming themselves is only making the situation worse," wrote Daniel Filbey.

"This kid is clearly crying for help. He needs counseling and support - not criminal charges," wrote Kelly Bauder.

Brownsburg resident Suzanna Stapp feels the same way.

"I just don't think that pressing charges against him is the right angle. I think they need to get him some help and I think that is going to be a long road," said Stapp.

The school district is well aware of the cries for compassion coming from the community. Administrators say they understand the concern.

"The positive thing about that is there is so much genuine compassion out there. That's a good thing. That's a really good thing," said Communications Director Donna Petraits. "We're very cognizant of that and we have a responsibility to that child. However, we also have a responsibility to the other 2,250 students who were sent into fear and anxiety."

Petraits says the decision to file a charge of false reporting against the student was not easily made.

"There are lots of different factors that come into play and lots of information we can't always share because of privacy or ongoing investigation ... Clearly there have to be consequences for actions. Clearly we don't want copy cat behavior of this kind," said Petraits.