Police seek warrant to check phone's contents
Butler Township police confirmed that officers are seeking a search warrant to examine the contents of a phone found Tuesday possibly hidden in a unisex bathroom at the Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School.
“It's an ongoing investigation. We're looking into it,” said Chief John Hays. “It involves two juvenile students at the vo-tech.”
Hays declined to release further details about the case, citing an open investigation. He said the phone in question was discovered in the bathroom by a student, who contacted administrators. Another student retrieved the phone, but later turned it over to school officials.
Hays said a student discovered the phone near a trash can in the bathroom, but it has not yet been determined if the mobile device had been placed there on purpose or left there by accident.
“Any time we have an issue like this, those involved are contacted,” said Kurt Speicher, vo-tech executive director, adding the school is not allowed to release student information. “The first thing we have to do is an investigation. And until an investigation is complete, all we have is an allegation.”
Speicher said that all concerned parties will be notified following the results of the investigation.
The police chief also pointed out that authorities have not determined how long the phone might have been in the bathroom, adding that a forensic examination of the device would help authorities determine a better timeline.
Police were called to the school shortly before noon Tuesday.
