Marysville Police identified the suspect as 37-year-old Colleen May, who was taken into custody Friday morning and charged with making terroristic threats, a third-degree felony. Investigators said the case began around 8:23 p.m. Thursday, when the Union County Clerk of Courts reported a suspicious email referencing threats toward a local school, though no specific building was named. While officers were following up on a possible address on the city’s south side, Marysville Schools reported receiving a second email from the same account, containing similar threatening language.
Detectives executed a search warrant at the home tied to the email account and interviewed May, who, according to police, admitted sending the messages and using a student’s information in an effort to conceal her identity and cover up other alleged crimes. Authorities said the emails made generalized statements about potential violence but did not specify a particular school building or detail a concrete plan. After determining the messages were a hoax and that there was no credible ongoing threat, police nonetheless maintained a stronger presence on school property Friday “out of an abundance of caution,” working closely with district administrators as they implemented established safety and security protocols.
In a message to families, Marysville school officials said staff “immediately followed established safety and security protocols” and praised the “strong working relationship” with the Marysville Police Division for allowing the district to respond quickly and maintain normal operations while the investigation unfolded. The district also reiterated its “see something, say something” message, urging parents, students and staff to promptly report suspicious activity or communications to school leaders or law enforcement.
Police said additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues. May was booked into the Tri-County Regional Jail in Mechanicsburg, where she remained held as of Friday evening, according to local reports.