St. James police detain three students in Mount Alvernia cyberbullying probe

St. James police have taken three students into custody as part of an active investigation into cyberbullying connected to Mount Alvernia High School. The matter centres on at least two pupils at the Montego Bay school, with those arrested drawn from institutions across the parish.

A mother, fighting back tears, described months of online abuse that has left deep emotional scars on her teenager and the wider family. TVJ News understands that several students from at least three schools in St. James are involved.

She said people on social media posted that they would not stop until her daughter killed herself. The teen no longer wants to return to school. With multiple Montego Bay schools linked to the case, the mother said moving the girl outside the city may be the only realistic option, though she acknowledged knowing little about communities beyond Montego Bay.

The family's strain worsened when a video surfaced making claims about the child's father. He said he now fears for his safety, telling reporters: "Right now, I'm fearing for my life because persons going to look up on me and say, 'Yo, listen, this man is a molester.'"

Senior Superintendent Aaron Samuels, the division's commanding officer, said on Monday that investigators have the three detainees in custody and have recorded statements from persons involved in the matter. The case has renewed concern about cyberbullying and how minors misuse technology, with law enforcement warning that behaviour treated as a joke online can quickly become a criminal matter.

DSP Michael Moore, crime officer for the division, said cyberbullying is a chargeable offence. "Cyber bullying is an offense and it is one for which you can be charged and we at the St. James investigation branch intend to conduct our investigations diligently and we can promise that the offenders will be brought to justice whenever a report is made to us," he said.

As inquiries continue, parents were urged not to leave children's mobile devices unchecked. Officials called on families to review day-to-day activity, obtain passwords for phones and other gadgets, and monitor use across social platforms.