Authorities arrested former Caddo Parish substitute teacher Lytonja Barfield, 58, after accusing her of using the school district’s emergency alert system to falsely report active shooters at five schools Wednesday, triggering security responses across the district.
The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office booked Barfield into the Caddo Correctional Center on five counts of menacing, according to the agency.
False Alerts Trigger Security Response
The investigation began after Caddo Parish School Board officials contacted the sheriff’s office about emergency alerts reporting possible active shooters at multiple schools.
Don Gibbs, the school board’s director of security, told investigators that Barfield allegedly used the district’s emergency management system to send the alerts.
Corporal Vincent Jackson said Barfield first sent an alert reporting an active shooter at one school before allegedly sending additional alerts involving other schools.
School officials immediately implemented security protocols to protect students and employees while they determined whether the threats were legitimate.
Authorities quickly determined that the alerts were false and identified Barfield as the person who allegedly sent them.
The sheriff’s office did not identify the five schools or explain which security measures school officials used.
Former Substitute Teacher Identified
A Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office detective later located Barfield and questioned her about the alerts.
After reviewing evidence gathered during the investigation, authorities arrested Barfield and transported her to the Caddo Correctional Center.
Caddo Parish Public Schools said the district no longer employed Barfield and had not assigned her to any district location when she allegedly sent the alerts.
“We are cooperating fully with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office as they continue their investigation into the matter,” the district said in a statement, per Fox News Digital.
The district said it followed its established security protocols in response to the emergency alerts to protect students and staff.
Possible Retaliation Being Investigated
Authorities have not announced a confirmed motive for the alleged false alerts.
Investigators are considering whether Barfield may have retaliated after the district stopped offering her substitute teaching assignments and began terminating her employment and barring her from future substitute work, Jackson said
The investigation remains ongoing.
Officials Warn About False Threats
The sheriff’s office emphasized that false reports of active threats can have serious consequences for schools and communities.
Such reports can disrupt school operations, trigger emergency responses, and cause fear among students, parents, teachers, and other employees.
Barfield faces five counts of menacing in connection with the alleged alerts. The allegations have not been proven in court.
Provided by Dallas Express
