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Ayers Elementary School in Martins Ferry Evacuated After ‘Threatening Message’ Found in Bathroom

Ayers Elementary School students were evacuated from their building because of a "threatening message" found in a bathroom at the school Monday morning.

In a phone message sent out to parents at about 11:50 a.m., Superintendent Jim Fogle said students were being transferred to the high school/middle school building next door because of the message found inside a restroom at the elementary school building.

The nature of the note was not mentioned in Fogle's message to parents.

"The building is being swept by the Martins Ferry Police Department," Fogle said in the recorded message.

"A staff member from Ayers will contact parents and they may pick up their students at the high school event entrance. If you are unable to pick up your students, they will be bussed at their regular time."

Martins Ferry police Chief John McFarland said the messages, which stated "I left a bom(b). U have 15 minutes" and "I left a bomb," were written on a couple bathroom stalls.

"It looks like a little kid wrote it," he said.

McFarland said the building was searched and cleared by his officers who did not find anything suspicious inside the building. However, a bomb-sniffing dog and handler was called in from Zanesville to go over the building.

At about 4:15 p.m. Monday, Fogle sent out another message to parents, letting them know the building was cleared.

"Our elementary building has been thoroughly checked by the Martins Ferry Police Department and has been cleared to resume classes (today), weather permitting," he said.