JAO receives bomb threat

The Jewish Academy of Orlando and the JCC were evacuated Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 10 a.m. because of a bomb threat.

According to the police, a threatening call was made to the JAO by a man who said he wanted to "hurt as many children as possible." The person at the school who reported the threat told police the man's voice sounded robotic, like he was using a device to disguise his voice.

As a result, the entire campus - the school, Early Childhood Learning Center, JCC, gym, and Federation - was evacuated. Parents were called and informed there was an emergency and to come pick up their children, who walked to Lake Sybelia Elementary School, which was also locked down as a precaution.

A bomb-sniffing dog from the Seminole County Sheriff's Office was brought in to sweep the school buildings for explosive material.

Police gave the all-clear at the Center around noon.

JCC Executive Director David Wayne sent out an email alert stating that the JCC campus would be closed for the rest of the day.