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AUSTIN ESHELMAN |
CHRISTIE ESHELMAN |
A mother and son from West Liberty were charged Saturday with obstructing official business related to an investigation by deputies of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office into a school threat Thursday at Riverside Schools.
Austin T. Eshelman, 23, and his mother, Christie L. Eshelman, 42, of 112 Ravin Place, West Liberty, each was lodged in the Logan County Jail on the charges.
Thursday, Riverside Schools administrators were notified by telephone of a potential threat shortly after 2:30 p.m. and immediately initiated lockdown procedures, as previously reported in the Examiner. A parent from the school said she had seen a social media post from Ms. Eshelman regarding a student with a gun, and the parent then contacted the school.
Deputies were dispatched to the school about 2:40 p.m. and immediately began checking and clearing classrooms and book bags. By approximately 3:25 p.m. students were being dismissed and escorted to buses/parking lots, according to information from school officials and the sheriff’s office.
A search of the building, including lockers, did not yield any firearms, deputies said.
Deputies spoke with Ms. Eshelman and her son over the phone Thursday. Ms. Eshelman said her son had informed her that a student had been shot at Riverside Schools. She said she had only posted “Prayers for Riverside” on Facebook.
Mr. Eshelman told deputies that he had heard about a school incident “from a friend who messaged him on Snapchat.” However, he could not identify the first and last name of the individual, just stating, “It’s just a random friend.” He told deputies Thursday afternoon that he needed to get ready for work at Midwest Express Inc.
Deputies followed up with the family at their residence Thursday, and Ms. Eshelman stated her son was not at home and she believed he was at work. Friday, Mr. Eshelman told deputies he had been at work Thursday afternoon and evening, but upon a records check with Midwest Express Inc. representatives, they said he did not report to work that day.
Saturday morning, deputies placed the two defendants under arrest at their residence.