A Michigan high school found itself in chaos after a mother reportedly decided to take extreme action when her daughter was barred from participating in the school play.
The situation unfolded at Lake Shore High School in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, leaving more than 700 students, staff, and audience members scrambling during what was supposed to be a routine school day.
False Bomb Threats Shake the Community
Crystal Royster, 43, admitted to calling in hoax bomb threats on March 12, 2025, according to court records.
The calls falsely claimed there were explosives on the school campus.
Her daughter had left school early that day due to illness, which, under school rules, prevented her from joining the after-school play.
County prosecutor Peter J. Lucido described the panic the calls caused, stating that they triggered a “significant emergency response.”
Although Royster will face probation, Lucido emphasized that her actions disrupted the school and alarmed the wider community.
Evacuations and Police Response
The bomb threats forced an immediate evacuation of the Macomb County school, located in Detroit’s suburbs.
St. Clair Shores police quickly swept the campus for explosives, but none were found.
Lake Shore High School reassured families in a statement that safety measures were followed and that all students and staff evacuated without incident.
The school clarified that the threats occurred during an elementary school performance hosted in their building.
They emphasized that while the calls were believed to be a hoax, law enforcement would verify the safety of the premises and hold the responsible party accountable.
Legal Consequences for Royster
Royster reached a plea deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty on November 13 to one felony charge of making a false report or bomb threat.
She was sentenced to two weeks in the Macomb County Jail, followed by 18 months of probation.
She also received credit for three days already served.
The court placed restrictions on Royster, including no contact with the victims and a requirement to notify the school before entering the campus.
Additionally, she must complete a Class A impulse control course.
The Seriousness of Bomb Hoaxes
Under federal law, bomb hoaxes are treated seriously.
Convictions can result in fines up to $5,000 or prison sentences of up to five years.
Felony charges apply when false information is conveyed maliciously or with reckless disregard for the safety of others, highlighting just how dangerous such actions can be—even when no explosives are actually involved.
Looking Ahead
Royster’s case serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of acting on frustration in extreme ways.
While her daughter’s absence from the play may have been disappointing, the ripple effects of her actions disrupted hundreds of lives and drew the full attention of law enforcement and the courts.
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