CARTERVILLE, Ill. – Tension gripped Williamson County when Little Treasures Child Development Center received ambiguous yet alarming text threats on Wednesday.
According to Williamson County Sheriff’s Department reports, the messages, spanning their Old Route 13, Carterville, and Marion centers, escalated with a bomb threat on Thursday morning. Both facilities promptly evacuated, with explosive detection K9s ensuring safety.
The unexpected twist: Jerica L. Ogden, an employee at the Marion location, confessed to authoring the threats.
“Nothing motivates law enforcement into action faster than threats which involve our children,” said Sheriff Jeff Diederich.
Ogden was arrested for Making a Terrorist Threat, Ogden now resides in Williamson County Jail. Sheriff Jeff Diederich assured parents of the center’s efficient handling, eliminating any lingering threat. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact local authorities, guaranteeing caller anonymity.
