A situation involving alleged social media threats against Valley High School have led to a law enforcement investigation.

Wetzel County Prosecuting Attorney Timothy Haught and Wetzel County Schools Superintendent Ed Toman have shed some light on an incident that occurred last week. The officials report that threats were allegedly made by juveniles in a chat room, and the threats involved Valley High School.

Toman said though the threats were suspicious and warranted investigation, “law enforcement determined that the school was safe for students to attend and took appropriate action to safeguard students.”

“It doesn’t take the recent national school shootings to heighten our school system’s awareness,” Toman noted. “Our employees are vigilant in that regard and always maintain heightened awareness.

Toman said all threats are taken seriously, and the school’s procedure of ensuring the safety of students and staff immediately took place “upon notification, flawlessly.”

Toman said law enforcement was notified, including Valley’s Prevention Resource Officer “that we’re greatly appreciative to have in place.”

Prosecutor Haught agreed. “I am confident that law enforcement and school personnel acted appropriately and out of an abundance of caution to make sure the school was and continues to be safe,” he said.

Toman said he cannot speak as to the current status of law enforcement’s investigation, due to the law enforcement investigation being a separate process from the school’s disciplinary process. Toman expressed appreciation of law enforcement’s “immediate and tireless action.”

“We are thankful for our sheriff’s department,” the superintendent said.

Toman noted since the investigation is ongoing and involves students, “law enforcement is prohibited from providing information as well.” The superintendent said various student confidentiality laws prohibit him from providing the names of students and what action will be taken at the school level.

“All juvenile cases are confidential so I cannot by law comment on the same,” Prosecutor Haught said.

Haught said his office will take appropriate action to charge any violations of law, while the school system has assured him that it will take appropriate disciplinary action.

Toman said the administration will comply with the Student Code of Conduct, West Virginia Safe Schools Act, and West Virginia Department of Education policy.

“When events like these take place, we make every effort to notify parents who understandably have concerns, and we trust that families know that student and staff safety is always our top priority.”

Haught and Toman also stressed the importance of parents being aware of their children’s social media activities.

“I would remind parents/guardians that events like this are remindful that the monitoring your student’s computer and social media conversations is so very important,” Toman said.

Likewise, Haught said he urges “parents to take a more active role in restricting and monitoring their children’s social media and internet activities and communications. Anyone having information regarding suspicious internet or social media activity or content that pertains to the safety of our school, an individual or our community should immediately contact law enforcement.”

Haught said that even if intended as a “prank,” the penalties “for such conduct are severe.”

“In this day and age any type of threat, whether intended to be carried out, or otherwise, is taken extremely seriously and will have consequences.”

Prosecutor Haught also urged the public “not to gossip, overreact, or make the situation worse by spreading misinformation or speculation.”