Police have decided not to charge a woman who mused about gunning down a librarian in the Cabot School District.
The Cabot Police Department released the incident report today in the case of anti-masker Melissa “Missy” Bosch, who was caught on tape during a recent Moms for Liberty meeting at the Crossroads Cafe in Cabot.
Bosch, 45, is administrator of the Moms for Liberty Lonoke County, AR Facebook page.
Melissa “Missy” Bosch, photographed in August of 2021 at a school board meeting, where she was objecting to mask requirements.
In the audio recording, a woman can be heard complaining about a librarian who she says makes $85,000 a year. “I’m telling you, if I had any mental issues, they would all be plowed down by a freaking gun right now,” the woman says.
Police confirmed in the report that Bosch is the person who made the statement about the gun, though the report quotes her as saying, “If I had any mental issues, they would all be plowed down with a gun by now.”
The report adds, “However this statement was not made in the context of a threat.”
The audio is at times muffled and hard to understand, perhaps explaining the slightly different accounts of what Bosch actually said.
The police report said Bosch has been “trespassed” from all public schools, a term meaning she’s not allowed on the campuses, though police spokesman Sgt. Chris Reilly said there are some exceptions to the ban.
This “trespass” rule could create an interesting conundrum down the road, since Bosch has a petition pending before the state to open up a public charter school, Omni Classical Prep of Cabot. Arkansas Education Department spokesman Kimberly Mundell said there are “multiple steps” in the application process, and Omni has not yet been approved.
The conservative Moms for Liberty has led campaigns against mask mandates in schools and has pushed to remove books and curriculum that address sexuality, LGBTQ rights, racism or discrimination.
The police report says school district Superintendent Tony Thurman “stated that Melissa Bosch has been very outspoken at school board meetings. Due to her conduct, he was concerned about the comment on the recording.”
Shortly after different cuts of audio from the June 9 recording started making social media rounds, the school district made a cryptic announcement via Twitter and on its website: “The Cabot School District considers the safety of students and staff its highest priority. Alleged threats shall be submitted to law enforcement for investigation. Likewise, the District will take appropriate action to ensure the safety of our students and staff.”
