Deputies investigate online threat directed at a Turner middle school

Authorities have identified an individual who posted a threat on social media directed at Cascade Junior High School near Turner.

"Law enforcement officials went quickly to work, and early this morning they identified the individual who made the comments. That individual is being dealt with by both law enforcement and Cascade school officials," the school said in a Facebook post.

"We can say that the threat made via social media last night no longer exists."

Marion County Sheriff's Office deputies were alerted to the threat around 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

Friday morning the sheriff's office announced the individual behind the threats, a 13-year-old juvenile, was found to not have access to weapons and told deputies the post was a "joke."

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The juvenile will be referred for a charge of disorderly conduct to the Marion County Juvenile Department.

The sheriff's office confirmed deputies and officers from Turner and Aumsville Police departments will be on the school's campus all day Friday to provide additional security.

School administrators planned to send an automated call out by 6:30 a.m. Friday with more information.

The story will be updated when more information is available.

Virginia Barreda is the Breaking News Reporter at the Statesman Journal. Contact her at vbarreda@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6657. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2