Charges dropped for mom accused of threatening school staff

Charges against a Portage mom for allegedly threatening staff at her son’s school have been dismissed.

Cary Murphy said she used some “heated words” and might have been yelling at times, but didn’t make any threats.

She said she was upset after learning an investigation into a case involving her son and the school principal showed the principal did nothing wrong.

The 31-year-old mother was accused of swearing and threatening to “shoot everyone” at John Muir Elementary School, according to the criminal complaint. She was also suspected of accusing staff members at the school of being racist.

A judge approved a prosecutor’s motion to dismiss charges of threatening to injure someone and disorderly conduct. The Columbia County District Attorney’s office said the case couldn’t be brought in Columbia County because Murphy and the teacher were both in Dane County at the time of the alleged incident.