CHIPPEWA TOWNSHIP (KDKA) — The idea of being “friends” on Facebook sounds innocent enough, especially to young children. But authorities in Beaver County jumped into action when someone recently got a bit too friendly with some kids.

Blackhawk is a rural school district in Beaver County. But a threat from outside the state got the attention of the chief of police in Chippewa Township.

“I found out from our school district,” Chief Clint Berchtold, of the Chippewa Township Police Department, said. “Principal Mooney of our Highlands Middle School contacted myself on Tuesday that some children were getting Facebook messages from an individual.”

There is nothing illegal about what the man did, but police were still concerned.

“This individual, being 30-years-old, summoning information from a 9- to 13-year-old – ascertaining what’s your phone number, what’s your home address – is very inappropriate as far as I’m concerned,” said Chief Berchtold.

The man in question is 30-year-old Michael Tichenor, Jr. of Griffith, Ind.

Blackhawk School District Superintendent Dr. Michelle Miller sent information home with all students in the district Wednesday.

Investigators checked the man’s background, and the chief talked to him on the phone.

“Hindsight is 20/20,” he said. “If we do nothing and something happens, we have to live with that as well.”

Chippewa Township may not be a big police force, only 15 officers in all, but they hope the small force can alert others that you need to be diligent at all times.

RELATED LINKS:
Blackhawk School District
Chippewa Township Police Department
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