Mother Pleads Not Guilty to Davey Elementary Gun Threat

Rachel A. Gauntner pled not guilty to aggravated menacing, a first-degree misdemeanor, in Portage County Municipal Court on Feb. 28.

The charge stems from a Jan. 31 incident where Gauntner, 33, of Kent, allegedly threatened to bring a gun to Davey Elementary School, according to Kent Police Lt. Jim Prusha.

Police initially charged Gauntner with felony menacing, but that charge was reduced to a misdemeanor during a Feb. 11 hearing.

Despite prosecuting her on a lesser charge, the court has prohibited Gauntner from stepping onto Davey Elementary grounds and banned her from any contact with students. 

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

Gauntner will appear before Portage County Municipal Court Judge Barbara Oswick for a pretrial on March 27. 

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. 

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

No guns were found.