Sterling Police Decline Charges Over Middle School 'Death Note'

The Sterling Police Department said on October 6 that it will not pursue criminal charges after officers were called to Chocksett Middle School on September 30 over a notebook labeled "Death Note," according to the Boston Globe.

Police said the notebook listed "deaths" alongside a second list of "survivors," wording drawn from the Japanese animated television series of the same name. Students had already left for the day by the time officers arrived, and investigators concluded there was no immediate danger to students or staff, police said.

Principal Tina Boss told families that the student who kept the notebook described it as a reference to the show rather than a threat. Boss said dozens of students were interviewed and that a multidisciplinary review turned up no evidence the notebook was aimed at the school or at any individual. She said the school had reached out to parents of students who appeared to be connected to the matter and was still trying to contact others.

One parent, Jen DiCandia, criticized the school district on Facebook on October 6, writing that her daughter's name appeared in the notebook and objecting to the student's return to class after a three-day suspension. She did not respond to a request for comment on October 7, the Globe reported.

Officers were stationed at the school on October 6, and police said they would keep a presence there as needed.

This story was first reported by The Boston Globe.