2 Stafford Schools Resume Normal Operations Amid Sheriff's Investigation

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — Mountain View High School and Margaret Brent Elementary School returned to normal operations Thursday afternoon after being placed under a security protocol while Stafford County sheriff's deputies investigated a report involving a missing student.

The Stafford County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the Secure protocol had been lifted at both schools, although the investigation remained active.

In a 1:44 p.m. update Thursday, the sheriff's office said the area would be cleared of police presence shortly.

Earlier Thursday, deputies responded to the 2000 block of Mountain View Road, near Mountain View High School, prompting a large police presence in the area.

Authorities said the student had last been seen leaving Mountain View High School and was no longer in the area of the campus.

"After leaving Mountain View High School, the subject is no longer in the area of the campus," the sheriff's office said in a social media update. "This remains an active and ongoing investigation."

Both Mountain View High School and Margaret Brent Elementary School were placed under Secure protocol out of an abundance of caution, according to the sheriff's office.

The sheriff's office subsequently announced that the security measures had been lifted.

"The Secure protocol has been lifted at this time, and the schools are back to normal operations," the sheriff's office said.

"Our students' safety remains our top priority, and we appreciate your patience as we continue our investigation."

Authorities had not confirmed in the updates whether the missing student had been located.

The sheriff's office has not released additional information about the circumstances surrounding the investigation.