ELYRIA, Ohio — A 15-year old student at Eastern Heights Middle School has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies after allegedly tampering with his Chromebook Friday morning and igniting it, causing smoke to occur in a classroom.

What You Need To Know

  • An Elyria student has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies after tampering with their Chromebook, causing smoke to appear in a classroom and damaging an area of the floor

  • The student's actions, police say, are consistent with a growing social media trend called the "Chromebook Challenge"

  • No injuries occurred as a result of this situation
  • The student is charged with arson and vandalism, with more charges still expected

According to a press release from Elyria police, the student's actions are consistent with a growing social media trend called the “Chromebook Challenge.”

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

The student was taken to the Lorain County Juvenile Detention Home, and his parents were informed of the situation. He is being charged with arson and vandalism (both felonies), with more charges expected.

There were no injuries reported as a result of this, and students had been evacuated from the area. However, the school-issued Chromebook sustained “significant heat damage” and part of the floor was also damaged.

The release states that school officials claim a precautionary message concerning the social media trend was sent out to parents on May 8, asking that they discuss it with their kids.

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