By Dennis Box

The Courier-Herald

A 15-year-old boy was arrested May 23 by Pierce County Sheriff's deputies for a bomb threat called into the White River Middle School.

Ed Troyer, the sheriff's department spokesman, said the boy allegedly called the threat in overnight to the school's answering machine. In the message, Troyer said the boy threatened to bomb the school and people would be killed.

&#8220We evacuated the school at 8:05 (a.m.) and brought in multiple bomb-sniffing dogs,” Troyer said. &#8220We had the kids back in school by 11 (a.m.). It was just a threat.”

While the middle school was searched, students and staff were moved to neighboring Mountain Meadow Elementary School.

The boy was arrested and booked into Remann Hall. The Pierce County prosecutor's office said the boy was charged with threat to bomb and injure property, which is a felony.

Troyer said bomb threats are an increasing problem throughout Pierce County.

&#8220We don't mess around with this,” Troyer said. &#8220It's a straight trip to jail and everyone is being prosecuted. It can mean one to four years in juvenile hall.”

The same day, students and staff at Enumclaw's Kibler Elementary School were evacuated after school staff received a telephoned bomb threat. Around 11:45 a.m. students and staff walked down to the former J.J. Smith Elementary School building, while a nearby team of bomb-sniffing dogs was brought in by the Enumclaw Police Department.

Once the building was determined safe, Kibler students and staff walked back to their classrooms.

According to Enumclaw Police Commander Eric Sortland there are no suspects.

Brenda Sexton contributed to this story.