Hamden police announced the arrest of former student Danielle Shea Sunday night after she allegedly claimed there was a bomb in the library.
Hamden police and Public Safety searched the library and did not find any bombs, but decided to move the College of Arts and Sciences commencement ceremony to the TD Bank Sports Center.
At approximately 5:30 p.m., a female called Public Safety and said “bomb in the library,” according to police. About 20 minutes later, she called again, telling Public Safety, “Several bombs are on campus. You haven’t cleared out graduation. That’s not a good idea.”
Public Safety and Hamden police traced the female caller to Shea’s phone number. Hamden police then found Shea at TD Bank Sports Center in a cap and gown, before arresting her.
Shea told detectives she did not attend the university this year, but her mother was still paying money to her thinking it was for tuition.
Shea “panicked,” police said, when her family saw her name was not on the graduation roster. She confessed to calling the bomb threats in hopes of canceling graduation, according to police.
Shea was charged with threatening in the 1st degree and falsely reporting an incident. She is being held on a $20,000 bond.
UPDATE: Shea’s court date is scheduled for June 2 at 10 a.m.