Tyler Elementary substitute teacher sent herself threatening texts, prompted lockdown: DeKalb police

DeKALB — Days after Tyler Elementary School was locked down after a district employee reported receiving threatening text messages, DeKalb police Wednesday said she’s been arrested for sending them to herself.

Tyler Elementary substitute teacher Breanna D. Lee, 25, of the 1400 block of Twombly Road in DeKalb was charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing justice, both Class 4 felonies, along with misdemeanor disorderly conduct, according to DeKalb County court records. If convicted of either Class 4 felony, Lee could face up to three years in prison.

According to a Wednesday news release from DeKalb police, a warrant was issued for Lee, who turned herself in. She was processed and released with a pending court date, according to police. Law enforcement officials said bond was set for Lee at $5,000, meaning she had to pay $500 to be released from police custody.

There was no publicly listed court date for Lee as of 5:45 p.m. Wednesday.

According to DeKalb police, Lee told police Friday that she received text messages threatening violence against her. The texts from the unknown number included threats that someone was going to come to the school and kill her.

“Staff and students were visibly upset and alarmed and disturbed by the situation,” court records state.

In the days since, a police investigation found that the alleged victim owned the phone used to make the threat. She admitted to sending the text messages, police said in the release.

The texts prompted school district officials Friday afternoon to impose what officials called a soft lockdown on Tyler Elementary. Police escorted students and staff out of the building to buses, waiting parents or guardians. District officials at the time said students were not under any immediate threat.

Deetra Sallis, DeKalb School District’s director of human resources, declined further comment about Lee, citing district personnel matters.

In an email sent to Tyler families Wednesday before the DeKalb Police Department’s announcement, administration secretary Jackie Pringle said police investigated the incident “with full cooperation from the district.”