On September 25, 2026, at approximately 1:00 p.m., school staff at West Clermont Middle School, located at 1341 Clough Pike in Batavia Township, notified the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer (SRO) of a report involving a sixth-grade male student who claimed to have a firearm in his bookbag while on school grounds.

 A student reported to a staff member that another student may have a firearm in his bookbag. Staff and the deputy immediately responded to the classroom, removed the student, and secured the bookbag. During a search of the bookbag, staff located a firearm, which was secured and turned over to the deputy as evidence.

 The deputy initiated an investigation and contacted the Sheriff’s Office Investigative Unit. Detectives promptly responded to the school and assumed the investigation. Through interviews with students and staff, a 12-year-old male student was identified as the individual responsible for possessing the firearm.

 The student cooperated with detectives and provided a statement, confirming that he had not threatened any other students and had no intention to harm anyone. Detectives also contacted the juvenile’s family and determined that the student had no further access to weapons at his residence.

 The case was reviewed with the Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office, and it was determined the student would be charged with:

 (1) count of Illegal Conveyance or Possession of a Deadly Weapon or Dangerous Ordnance in a School Safety Zone, a felony of 5^th degree.

 The student was transported to the Clermont County Juvenile Detention Center and will be placed on suspension pending further disciplinary action by school officials.