Mother Banned From Davey Elementary Following Gun Threat

Rachel A. Gauntner appeared in Portage County Municipal Court on Friday after spending the last week in jail for allegedly threatening to bring a gun to Davey Elementary School. 

During the preliminary hearing, Judge Barbara Watson prohibited Gauntner, 33, of Kent, from stepping on Davey's grounds and banned her from any contact with students, according to the Portage County Municipal Clerk of Courts Office. 

The same restrictions apply to Children's Advantage Counseling and Mental Health Center in Ravenna, Watson ordered. 

Gauntner was released on her own recognizance, and will remain out of jail, for the time being, so long as the court's conditions are met. 

Gauntner is charged with aggravated menacing, a fifth-degree felony, and is set to appear before Watson again at 8:15 a.m. Feb. 11.

Alleged school shooting threat

According to Kent police, Gauntner issued a violent threat on Jan. 31 while airing criticisms to a teacher about the level of education her special needs son was receiving.

The teacher and another eyewitness reported Gauntner even referenced the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, said Kent Police Lt. Jim Prusha. 

However, the teacher waited until the next morning (Feb. 1) to report the threat, saying she wanted to check with the school’s administration on how to proceed.

That decision, coupled with a lack of communication from the Kent City Schools about the incident, outraged parents who took to Patch's comment boards and aired their frustrations.  

Gauntner was arrested on Feb. 1, and allowed police to search her residence.

No guns were found.

Read on: 

Davey Shooting Threat Causes District to Address Communication