NORWICH – A 17-year-old Norwich High School student charged with a violent felony after allegedly issuing threats at the school last week has been released to the custody of his parents following his appearance in Norwich City Court Tuesday for what was originally scheduled as a felony hearing.

The youth, whose name and address have not been released by authorities, faces one count of making a terrorist threat, a class D violent felony. He was arraigned on Feb. 1 and will make his next court appearance once a pre-plea investigation has been completed and submitted to the court, according to the Chenango County District Attorney’s Office.

It’s alleged that the youth made a threatening statement involving a firearm during school hours at an unspecified time Friday morning. The Norwich City Police Department was contacted immediately and officers promptly responded, taking the student into custody.

The boy’s parents, who were on hand for Tuesday’s court appearance, both testified after being sworn in by Judge James Downey, stating on the record that there were no firearms remaining inside their home and the boy would have no access to firearms of any kind. According to the boy’s stepfather, all firearms that had been located at the family’s home have been transferred to a friend’s house and locked away. If the student is arrested or misbehaves in school, once he returns, Downey said he could expect to find himself once again remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility. It is unknown at this time if the youth had returned to school and, as of Tuesday, he was expelled pending further notice.