MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The man accused of making several threats to Memphis daycares was in court Friday on two unrelated charges, being taken into custody after his bond was revoked.
39-year-old Charles Beasley was in court on charges of credit card theft between $1,000 and $2,500, and misdemeanor assault.
The threats he made against children at Lindenwood Christian Child Care Center and First Baptist Church were taken into account by Judge Sheila Bruce-Renfroe, who took him into custody and revoked his bond just minutes after his name was called.
“We’re talking about going to daycares, I understand that you might’ve had other issues that might’ve prevented you from getting some treatment,” Bruce-Renfroe said. “I did not hear that but as it goes today, I’m revoking your bond. I’m taking you into custody.”
The credit card theft charge pertains to an incident in June where a man discovered his bank card missing, and $1,500 worth of charges on his account he didn't make.
Memphis Police arrested Beasley in August after finding him with a guitar purchased by the stolen card.
He was released on the condition that he would seek mental health services, but state attorneys said Friday he had not done so, and asked for his bond to be revoked.
Parents at Lindenwood Christian Child Care Center and First Baptist Church raised concerns this week about Beasley, after they said he lurked around both schools for several days, making threats that he was mentally unstable and wanted to "line up and shoot" the kids inside.
Memphis Police and a Crisis Intervention Team met with Beasley Tuesday but did not arrest him after they said the threats were not credible.
Parents react to Beasley's arrest
Parents said they’re grateful for the action taken by both First Baptist Day School and the judge ruling to take Beasley into custody.
“I did make the initial call to the police and let them know that there was a man on our property who had made threats of shooting – lining children up and shooting them one by one,” one parent said.
A threat terrifying enough for parents to keep their kids home and for one daycare center to close.
“Ultimately, I had to make the decision to close the school for Wednesday because I did not have enough time to line up armed security,” she said. “The police were telling—the Memphis Police Department was telling me they could not guarantee police presence during the entire school day 7:30 to 5:30.”
Parents are shaken up but say they’re just thankful he’s in custody.
“I’m extremely relieved and I’m extremely grateful and impressed by the district attorney’s office – their responsiveness,” parent Jake Brown said.
As both a parent and an attorney, Brown says the lack of mental health treatments the suspect received played a major role in the credibility of his threats.
“Someone who has been court ordered to receive mental health treatments is not attending those treatments and then is out making threats of violence toward a preschool, that is terrifying,” Brown said.
Parents are feeling safer but know the battle isn’t over.
“I do think that it will help these families who have still decided to keep their children home out of precaution everything going on – I do think that it will help them make the decision to have their child return to school after thanksgiving break,” one parent said.