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Girl, 12, gets probation for school bomb threat

A 12-year-old girl accused of sending Internet messages that said she planned to bomb her suburban Detroit middle school was sentenced to up to 12 months' probation.
/ Source: The Associated Press

A 12-year-old girl accused of sending Internet messages that said she planned to bomb her suburban Detroit middle school was sentenced to up to 12 months' probation.

Macomb County Circuit Judge Mark Switalski sentenced her Tuesday. The girl pleaded no contest in February to using a computer to commit a false act of terrorism. The plea is not an admission of guilt, but is treated as one for sentencing purposes.

"I don't think she grasped the significance of her conduct or her actions," defense lawyer Brian Legghio told the Detroit Free Press. "I'm not sure any 12-year-old could."

Authorities say some pupils received messages on their home computers Dec. 10 that read: "I am going to bomb Wyandot Middle School." The sender also warned the children not to attend the school all week because "I do care for you."

A telephone and an e-mail message seeking comment were left for the Macomb County prosecutor's office Tuesday.