Marlboro County High students back in class after bomb threat

Students have returned to class at Marlboro County High School after Bennettsville police and Marlboro County deputies used bomb sniffing dogs at the school in response to a Thursday morning bomb threat.

Bennettsville Police Chief Larry McNeil said police received a call before school started Thursday morning of a bomb inside the school.

The school was immediately evacuated, McNeil said.

The school operated on a 2-hour delay as authorities looked for any possible explosive devices. They searched the school and teachers searched classrooms, but found nothing out of place.

All entrances and exits were closed off, as well as roads surrounding the school.

McNeil said authorities will pursue the stiffest penalties possible against the person who called in the threat, including possible federal charges.