‘Immature’ plan to blow up Clifton High was response to bullying, cops say

An alleged bomb plot by fifth-graders at the School #11 in Clifton was an "immature and unrealistic plot" planned by four students age 10 and 11 in response to a bullying incident, according to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes.

In a statement, Valdes said the plan was aimed at someone at the high school one of the students knew.

The "device" involved in the plot was an empty mini Altoids tin which contained vegetable oil, salad dressing and cinnamon sticks, according to Valdes. She said it was "neither flammable, nor dangerous nor did any student possess any type of lighting device."

The device did not place any students at the school in danger, Valdes.

The students were not charged, arrested or taken into custody. The students, currently suspended from school, will have to undergo psychiatric evaluation before returning to school, Valdes said.

They will also enter into a Station House Adjustment Agreement with Clifton Police, which includes mandatory counseling. The agreement prevents the students, as first time offenders, from being formally charged.

The alleged plot was discovered on Wednesday, and police were notified, according to a statement on the district website.

Police and school officials have not said in any statements released so far whether any facilities were evacuated or swept by emergency responders for possible explosives after the plot was discovered.

Ocean County Prosecutor's Office spokesman Al Della Fave, a former State Police officer, said "the protocol has always been to to isolate the item and call in people with the expertise and knowledge with regards to suspicious packages to make sure its safe." But Della Fave also said he has no specific knowledge of the Clifton incident.

Clifton Police, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office and Clifton school superintendent Richard Tardalo have not yet returned messages seeking comment about the incident.