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Police: Cafeteria Worker Threatened To Use Oxygen Tank To Blow Up School

CHICORA, Pa. (AP) - A cafeteria worker has been charged with threatening to use her oxygen tank to blow up the Chicora Elementary School where she worked.

The Butler Eagle reports that 52-year-old Kimberly McElravy, of Petrolia, is accused of making the threats Feb. 5.

Karns City School District Superintendent Eric Ritzert says the threat was made to other employees and wasn't made in the presence of schoolchildren. The superintendent says school wasn't disrupted and no students were endangered.

Still, people in the area are concerned.

"I have children in school and I wouldn't like to hear something like that at the school they go to," said resident Jamie Kamerer.

Online court records show state police have mailed misdemeanor charges of terroristic threats and harassment to McElravy, along with a citation for disorderly conduct.

Some people are looking to give her the benefit of the doubt.

"I know people had to report it, legally. But it could have been she was just joking around," said Jenny Potts. "It could have been taken out of context, without knowing the whole story."

McElravy declined to comment when reached at home Monday by The Associated Press. A preliminary hearing on the charges hasn't been scheduled.

McElravy remains on unpaid leave.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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