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Evacuated students return back to Harrisburg Middle School after reports of suspicious backpack cleared
Evening Producer
HARRISBURG, Ill. (WSIL) -- UPDATE: 5:30 p.m. - Harrisburg Police Department said they investigated a suspicious item that was reported at the Harrisburg Middle School earlier on Monday.
Police stated a student alleged that another student had an "unidentified object that appeared to be a bomb," Harrisburg Police Department stated in a release.
They contacted the Secretary of State Hazardous Device Unit to help out. One of their bomb technicians got to the scene and they were able to remove the item with the help of a robot they used. They then opened the object remotely.
"No explosive hazards were present," the police department said.
The building was then swept by an explosive detection K-9 team. It was then declared safe for students to return back to class.
No criminal charges are pending.
UPDATE: 11:35 a.m. - A Harrisburg school official tells News 3 police have given them the all clear and students are now returning to the Middle School.
The school official said police cleared the building after they searched for a backpack which was deemed suspicious earlier on Monday morning.
We are told students are returning back to class at the Harrisburg Middle School building.
ORIGINAL: 10:49 a.m. - Police are investigating reports of a suspicious backpack at Harrisburg Middle School.
According to the school's Superintendent Amy Dixon, a bomb squad is at the school searching for any immediate threats to faculty and students.
It's after a student reportedly noticed something suspicious in another student's backpack at around 8 a.m. Monday morning.
Harrisburg Middle School students were evacuated and brought to the high school.
Dixon says, as of 10 a.m., no threat has been found, and students will likely be returning to the school soon.
This is a developing story. Stay with News 3 for updates.
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Evening Producer