Brisbane woman charged over alleged hoax bomb threats to childcare centre and high school

A Cleveland woman has been charged after allegedly making hoax bomb threats to a childcare centre and a high school in Brisbane’s south, prompting a swift response from authorities and raising renewed concerns about security in educational environments.

According to Queensland Police, the threatening messages were reported by staff at a Redland Bay childcare centre and a Runcorn high school on 24 and 25 July 2025. Both facilities followed emergency protocols and immediately notified police, who assessed the credibility of the threats while ensuring the safety of children, students, and staff on site. Officers emphasised that at no time was there any risk to the children, educators, or community members.

“Even when a threat proves to be a hoax, we treat every report as credible until we have fully assessed the situation,” a Queensland Police spokesperson said. “The safety of children and young people in education and care settings is our highest priority.”

Parents were informed about the incident, with both the childcare centre and high school reassuring families that emergency procedures had been enacted swiftly and effectively.

Investigators determined that the woman allegedly responsible had no known connection to either the childcare centre or the high school involved. This finding has raised questions about the motive behind the alleged hoax, though police have not released further details while the case is before the courts.

The 50-year-old woman was arrested and charged with two counts of making a bomb hoax, a serious offence that carries significant penalties under Queensland law.

The woman is scheduled to appear before Cleveland Magistrates Court. If found guilty, she could face severe consequences, including imprisonment, as authorities continue to stress the dangers and community disruption caused by false threats.

Hoax threats not only waste valuable police resources but also cause unnecessary fear and disruption to families and educational services. Queensland Police have repeatedly warned that bomb hoaxes are treated with the same seriousness as genuine threats, with offenders facing criminal prosecution.

Incidents involving threats to early childhood education and care (ECEC) services can have a significant impact on educators, children, and families. Even when threats are proven to be false, the anxiety and disruption they cause can linger long after the incident.

For early childhood providers, maintaining robust emergency and safety protocols is essential to ensuring children’s wellbeing and restoring parental confidence after such events. Under the National Quality Framework (NQF), approved providers are required to have comprehensive risk management and emergency response plans in place,  plans that were activated promptly in this case.

Safety in early learning environments remains a top priority for both regulators and service leaders. While hoax threats are rare, they highlight the importance of preparedness, communication, and strong partnerships with law enforcement.

Community members have expressed support for the affected centres and schools, praising their quick action in following procedures. Parents have also called for stronger penalties for individuals who engage in behaviour that undermines community trust and threatens children’s sense of security.

One parent, who asked not to be named, said: “You never want to hear that your child’s school or childcare has received a threat, even if it’s a hoax. It’s terrifying. I’m grateful the staff knew exactly what to do and that the police acted so quickly.”

Queensland Police have reminded the public that hoax threats are criminal offences with significant consequences. Beyond legal penalties, such actions place unnecessary strain on emergency services, diverting them from real emergencies.

As the investigation continues, police have urged anyone with information about suspicious behaviour or threats to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

For the Redland Bay childcare centre and Runcorn high school, the focus now shifts to supporting children, staff, and families in the aftermath of the incident. While the hoax did not result in harm, the disruption and fear it caused underline why early childhood services and schools continue to invest in strong safety practices.

This case serves as a reminder that child safety is non-negotiable and that threats to educational settings, whether real or hoax, will always be met with a decisive response.

The accused woman remains on bail conditions as the case proceeds. Her court appearance will be closely watched by education leaders and the broader community, who view this as a test of how seriously such offences are treated under the law.

To read the original coverage of this story, as produced by 9 News, please see here.