ELYRIA, OHIO — A 15-year-old male student is facing felony charges following a May 9 incident at Eastern Heights Middle School involving the intentional ignition of a school-issued Chromebook — an act police say is tied to a dangerous social media trend known as the “Chromebook Challenge.”
According to the Elyria Police Department, the incident occurred around 10:52 a.m., when a School Resource Officer responded to reports of smoke in a classroom. Officers observed smoke in the air, and the affected area had already been evacuated by school staff as a precaution.
The source of the smoke was identified as a damaged Chromebook, which had sustained significant heat damage. A preliminary investigation determined the student had intentionally tampered with the device in a way consistent with the viral challenge.
The student was taken into custody at the scene and is now facing felony charges of arson and vandalism, with additional charges anticipated. He was transported to the Lorain County Juvenile Detention Home after his parents were contacted.
“This behavior is not only reckless but criminal, and we will hold individuals accountable when safety is jeopardized,” said Elyria Police Chief Jim Welsh.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but police stressed the broader dangers of social media trends that encourage destructive behavior in school settings. On May 8 — one day before the incident — Elyria Schools sent a message to middle school parents warning about the rise of social media challenges and encouraging families to speak with
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