Mercer Co. Schools alerted after crisis hotline threat

MERCER CO., Ky. (WTVQ) – The Mercer Co. Sheriff says a perceived threat received on a Lexington Crisis Hotline has prompted increased law enforcement presence at Mercer Co. schools.

According to the Sheriff, a man called the hotline on Tuesday at around 6:00 p.m., requesting medication that the hotline wouldn’t provide.  The man then made a reference to the Sandy Hook school shootings.

The Sheriff says there was information exchanged during the hotline call that indicated the man was in Mercer Co., prompting the Sheriff to alert Harrodsburg police and Kentucky State Police.

The man was eventually located by the Frankfort police department, who talked to him over the phone.  According to Frankfort police, the comment was taken out of context, and they do not intend on filing any charges.

The Mercer Co. Schools Superintendent sent a letter out to families informing them of the situation.