Tuscaloosa Police Charge Mom with Terroristic Threats for Furious Facebook Video

Police in Tuscaloosa have arrested a Tuscaloosa mother whose furious Thursday night Facebook video has resulted in charges for making terroristic threats.

32-year-old Ebony Sierra Patrick took to social media Thursday night and recorded an almost hour-long video, in which she said her daughter, a student at Northridge Middle School, had been abandoned by school staff after an event with the school's show choir on the University of Alabama campus.

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There is also a permission slip for the trip circulating on social media that appears to state transportation would not be provided back to the middle school and band parents should get their kids from the University, but regardless - the 55-minute video was far overboard.

In at least ten different instances, Patrick made threats including references to killing someone, tearing up the school, going to jail, getting out and causing more chaos.

Stephanie Taylor, a spokesperson for the Tuscaloosa Police Department, said they were made aware of the video Thursday afternoon, which was profanity-laced and included threats toward staff members at the school.

The video was shared across local Facebook groups, and the resulting fallout led to an increased police presence at the middle school Friday to ensure the peace was kept.

“Our dispatchers and officers received dozens of calls from parents who were worried about sending their children to school today. That should never happen,” said TPD Chief Brent Blankley in a press release. “Threats of any kind, especially those directed at our schools, are completely unacceptable. They cause fear and alarm, disrupt the learning environment and put our children’s safety at risk.”

Patrick was arrested and charged with making terroristic threats, and transported to the Tuscaloosa County Jail where her bond has been set at $2,500.

Taylor concluded the press release by assuring the public that TPD takes all threats seriously and the entire department is committed to working to maintain a safe environment for all students, teachers and staff.

UPDATE: A spokesperson for the Tuscaloosa City Schools has given the Thread a statement about the field trip, video and arrest.

"Yesterday, a video made by a parent on social media provided information that was inaccurate and not based on facts. Whether on field trips or on our campus, student safety is of the highest priority," said TCS director of public relations Lydia Avant. "A band field trip to The University of Alabama yesterday required for parents to pick up their students from the UA campus following the conclusion of the event. All TCS and NMS supervision procedures were correctly and fully implemented and followed. Student and staff safety are at the forefront of all we do. We are thankful to TPD for their assistance and help with this matter as it is now being handled by them. Thank you to our parents and community for your support and understanding as we have worked to maintain a safe environment for everyone at NMS."

For more on this situation if any additional information is made available, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.