Fairfield

Anxious Parents Pick Up Kids After Alleged Social Media Threat at Fairfield School

Police respond to Rodriguez High School campus after threat under investigation nationwide

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Fearful parents in Fairfield picked up their kids Friday morning from Rodriguez High School after an alleged threat was posted on social media against "RHS," according to school officials.

In the wake of the Texas school shooting earlier this week, school officials notified police right away and gave parents the option of taking their children out of school with an excused absence. Many parents chose to take their kids home.

"They’re scared," parent Paula Sanders said. "They’re not telling the kids what’s going on. We're getting the callouts. Everything in light of Texas, you can’t take the chance. If anything was ever to happen and we don't pick them up, I mean, you’d never forgive yourself."

Some parents arrived with tears in their eyes and a sense of panic in their voices as they anxiously made calls, trying to get a hold of their kids.

"Obviously what happened recently and just the threat, it’s just scary, it’s just scary," parent Ed Ramirez said. "l came right away. Luckily I was able to get him out."

Fairfield police responded to the campus, saying their actions were motivated by an abundance of caution for the safety of students and staff.

The social media threat, they've learned, is one that is being investigated nationwide at schools with the acronym "RHS." Officials said there was nothing to indicate the threat was directed specifically at Rodriguez High School.

"We already have enough problems with mental anxiety from COVID and now the school shooters," Sanders said.

Dr. Michael Enenbach, a psychiatrist with the Child Mind Institute in the Bay Area, said the increased anxiety is normal. To deal with it, he recommends people first acknowledge what they're feeling and then have honest conversations with others for support.

“We need the support of everyone – therapists, friends, family, anything we can do to get support because that’s going to trickle down to the children," he said.

Enenbach said to then reassure children and know when to get outside help.

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