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2 bomb threats in 1 week at Twin Lakes Middle

Parents upset they weren't told what happened

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Twin Lakes Middle School was given the all-clear after it was evacuated for the second time this week because of a bomb threat.

Jacksonville police were called to the school at 8050 Point Meadows Road just before 9 a.m. The all-clear was given at about 10:15 a.m.

School buses were diverted to a nearby Stein Mart store, but returned to the school when it was deemed safe.

Walkers from the south were diverted to the elementary school, and walkers from the north were diverted to Stein Mart. They were also allowed to return a short time later.

A spokesperson for Duval County Public Schools said parents were called by an automated system around 9:15 a.m., but some parents said they were never contacted. Another call went out to parents after the all-clear was given.

Some parents said they are not happy with how the school district handled Friday's bomb threat, saying they had to hear about it on the news and were worried.

Parents at the Stein Mart said they couldn't find their child, and some said they had no idea what was going on. Some parents said their child was the first one to tell them about the bomb threat.

Students said the threat came in just after early care, which starts at 7 a.m.

"They told us just to gather our things and walk out, and at first I was kind of confused," said seventh-grader Jordan Burnette. "I didn't know what was going on until the principal told us it was another bomb threat."

"My daughter had informed me it had taken place during early morning care," said Kelita Wester, Jordan's mother. "They never left early morning care, and now it's a little bit after 10 (a.m.) and I'm still getting the news about that. So I'm upset."

"It's very scary," parent Samantha Davis said. "You don't know where they're at. As far as I knew, when she left on the bus an hour ago she was headed to school. And she calls and says, 'Mommy, it's really hot on the bus. We're stuck on the buses. We're in the parking lot of Stein Mart because there's another code red."

School officials said if parents didn't get a call, they may want to update their phone number through Duval Connect.

On Monday, a bomb threat was called in just before 3:30 p.m., so the school was evacuated as a precaution. Since regular dismissal is at 4:15 p.m., the administrators began the dismissal process early.

Police searched the school and nothing suspicious was found, clearing the school by 4:40 p.m.

Parents and students said they don't want to hear about any more threats.

"I just come here to learn. I don't come here to get blown up to pieces," sixth-grader Arabela Orande said.

Calling in a bomb threat is a felony.