Elyria Student Faces Felony Charges After Device Ignites in Classroom

A 15-year-old male student at Eastern Heights Middle School in Elyria has been arrested and faces felony charges of Arson and Vandalism after allegedly tampering with a school-issued Chromebook, causing it to ignite in a classroom on Friday, May 9.

According to an Elyria Police Department press release, the incident occurred at approximately 10:52 a.m. when a School Resource Officer at Eastern Heights Middle School (528 Garford Ave) was contacted about smoke in a classroom. Upon arrival, the officer found smoke in the air and learned school staff had already evacuated students from the immediate area as a precaution.

“The intentional ignition of electronic devices poses a serious risk to students, staff, and school property,” said Chief Jim Welsh. “This behavior is not only reckless but criminal, and we will hold individuals accountable when safety is jeopardized.”

Investigators determined the smoke originated from a school-issued Chromebook that sustained significant heat damage, including damage to the surrounding floor area. A preliminary investigation revealed the student had intentionally tampered with the device as part of an emerging social media trend referred to as the “Chromebook Challenge.”

The juvenile was taken into custody at the scene and subsequently transported to the Lorain County Juvenile Detention Home. Additional charges are anticipated, according to police.

“Safety must come first,” said Captain Bill Lantz, Public Information Officer. “Students need to understand that actions taken for social media attention can jeopardize their own safety, endanger others, and result in serious legal consequences.”

School officials had issued a precautionary message to middle school parents on May 8, warning about the potential dangers of this trend and encouraging families to discuss the matter with their children.

The Elyria Police Department is working in partnership with Elyria City Schools to ensure a safe learning environment, urging parents and guardians to speak with their children about the serious consequences of participating in dangerous social media challenges.

No injuries were reported in the incident, but the case highlights growing concerns about social media-inspired challenges that encourage destructive or dangerous behavior among young people.