Woman charged in hoax that led to school lockdowns
A Cheraw woman has been arrested in connection with a hoax that resulted in two school lockdowns Tuesday.
Sabrina Self, 23, turned herself in Thursday morning and is charged with filing a false police report, a felony charge that could lead up to five years in prison if convicted, according to the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office.
Self was released Thursday afternoon on a personal recognizance bond with the stipulation that she undergo a mental evaluation.
Sheriff Sam Parker said Self confessed to lying about an armed robbery near the schools Tuesday. He said she told investigators she is having financial difficulties and needed some attention. Investigators met with the 4th Circuit Solicitor’s Office to determine whether she would be charged.
The time spent investigating the alleged crime, including helicopter time, manpower, bloodhounds and equipment used, will end up costing the county between $4,000 to $6,000, Parker said.
Cheraw High and Cheraw Intermediate schools were back under normal operations Tuesday afternoon after officers placed both campuses on lockdown for a while during the middle of the day.
Officers surrounded the school buildings while teachers, students, and staff remained inside.
Cheraw Police Chief Jay Brooks said he had no reason to believe the robbery suspect or any other intruder was inside the schools or threatening anyone there, but the lockdown was a precaution.
About 1 p.m., the schools were no longer under lockdown, the chief said, and students were dismissed as normal during the afternoon.
Brooks said several parents showed up after word leaked out about the lockdown, but school officials sent the parents home.
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Reader Reactions
I do happen to know Mrs Self.. but that aside, I think that everyone should be able to face consequences of their actions. For every choice we make there are consequences, and if you break the law, then you have to pay the price. If the laws allowed everyone to get away with anything they did, then what kind of society would we be living in? So, I believe that she should pay for her actions. How would you feel if you were the man she falsely accused and identified?
and furthermore, if it costs as much as they’ve indicated in the article to conduct the search, then maybe its time to take a look at the operations of law enforcement..seems there may be some waste of taxpayer’s money.
Its amazing how quick our society will judge a person based on one action…most of the posters don’t know this young lady, nor anything about her. Yet we easily cast an uneducated opinion..what if she were your child, wonder how quick you would be to judge? It takes a person of character to think with a linear mindset and with that said, not many of them posting on here.
I think Mrs Self should have to pay back everything she cost taxpayers and then some for her stupidity. If she was in need of help then she should have asked for it. I also think that she should have to pay restitution to the man she falsely accused. I have small children in the public schools and I was scared for my kids safety. I think this was a childish attempt to get attention. I hope she goes to jail.
First of all, I would like to say the the Cheraw Police dept, Sheriff dept,Thank you very much for the protection of the students at the schools.Yall was there on the job.And did the job very well.
As for as the lady,Her family knew she had mental issues. Why did’nt they get her help.NO they ignored it. And look what has happen.This lady has turned the town of cheraw upside down. Scaring the childern and parents.She should have to pay back the cost. And apologize to the students,and the town of Cheraw.And go to jail.
But no she will plead insane.And walk the street.
So watch out town of Cheraw we have another nut on the loose
lulz Sabrina <3 +100000 cool points I luffles you XD
What has happened to He Without Sin Cast the First Stone. Most of you have already tried and given your conviction for a person you do not know. You are only looking at your side of this story. Do you even care that she has a side of this story. One that has not been given all over the internet, news, and papers. This is not just a person who is having finanical problems and wants attention. This is a person who needs help just as much as the alzheimers lady who did basically the same thing yesterday. Mental problems affect more than just the elderly. They can affect anyone,at any age,at any time. Would you send someone to jail who has alzheimers? I don’t think so. Then why are most of you so trigger happy to hurt someone who is suffering far more than you can imagine because of her age. What if it were you being sucked into a black hole of depression, or some other form of mental problem. How would you feel if instead of anyone trying to help you and save you,all you could hear was crucify her? Some of you go on and on over the tax dollars. If you ever spend a day listening to the scanner here you will realize most days you spend more than this on probable unnecessary First Health calls. Is this right? Many times no,but we don’t send them to jail and put an orange jump suit on them,and make them clean toilets either. As I said before she is suffering, and so is the rest of her family-perhaps those of you who want to hurt her so much will find some happiness in this fact. I know her well,and I can tell you she is more upset over scaring and hurting any child than most of you probally are. I am not condoning what she did. I am simply letting you know-you do not know her, or the whole story. If you did you would not be so quick to condemn. I believe you reap what you sow in life, especially when you kick a person when they are already down so low. I hope some of you will think long and hard before you post or verbalize more harsh comments about someone you know nothing about. Beyond that all I can say is I hope here family can be left alone now to get her the help she needs.
i am a local soccer player for the high school and i was scared…this woman should be put into jail to pay off her debt to the county…she caused lots and lots of uproar at the high school…what if someone hadve gotten hurt…she should pay.
Kudos to the last two posts.
I live in chesterield county and would like to say everything reported on tv is not always exactly right or fair. I know what this girl did was wrong. I also know a cry for help when I hear it. To those who do not know all the details they obviosly don’t know if ingnorance were against the law they would also have to go to jail. For instance how many people are aware that today 4-1-09 another lady in chesterfield county also reported being visiouly attacked in her home. The sherrifs office was called the dogs brought out and the helicopter flying high and the schools closed in that area. You did not hear about that on TV did you?. This too was a hoax because it was found the elderly lady has alsheimers, a mental illness. Should she go to jail NO!!!! Should she clean toilets at he county jail in a orange jumpsuit? I don’t think so, should she have to pay back money the county wasted? How much county money is wasted? How many people thought they needed a helicopter? How many people pay for schools they will never send a child to? Mental illness is just as serious in the young as it is the old.Should one person be excused and not the other? and who are we to decide? They both need to get the appropriate help. I pay my county taxes, and as far I am concerned these men were doing their jobs. I know that the people who care are getting this young girl the help she needs, no thanks to small minded people like some of you.I can say these things because I was there on the scene were you?
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