CT high school student charged in connection with TikTok trend involving Chromebook
The student reportedly stuck a graphite pencil into the Chromebook USB port on May 7 at Lyman Hall High School, according to the Wallingford Police Department. The device started to spark and created a fire hazard, police said.
The building did not need to be evacuated, according to police. No injuries were reported.
The student was charged with third-degree criminal mischief and conspiracy to commit reckless burning.
This is at least the fifth incident in Connecticut where a student attempted a TikTok challenge that has been reported across other parts of the country. The challenge encourages students to insert a metallic device into a Chromebook, which can cause them to catch on fire and smoke.
Two students were charged after a laptop caught on fire on May 7 at Southington High School where a teacher threw the smoking Chromebook out a window before firefighters responded and the building was evacuated, according to the Southington Police Department.
A similar incident was reported on May 8 at the Middle School of Plainville where a student was treated for smoke inhalation after reportedly causing a Chromebook to catch on fire, school officials said. The student was expected to face charges.
Similar incidents have also been reported at schools in Cromwell, Newington and other towns.
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