Catherine Leavy, Hoax Bomb Threat, Massachusetts 2022

Bomb threat brings chaos to Boston Children's Hospital

BOSTON, MA - In a disturbing display of fear and intimidation, a Westfield woman called in a hoax bomb threat against Boston Children's Hospital, forcing the evacuation of the facility and a massive response from law enforcement.

Catherine Leavy, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of making a false bomb threat and one count of intentionally conveying false or misleading information that a bomb was on the way to the hospital.

The threats were made in August 2022, and Leavy was initially arrested and charged by criminal complaint in September 2022. She was subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2022.

According to court documents, Leavy made the threats in a telephonic bomb threat call, saying "There is a bomb on the way to the hospital, you better evacuate everybody you sickos." The hospital was placed on lockdown status and a bomb squad was dispatched, but no explosive devices were located.

Investigators were able to track the phone number used to make the threat to Leavy's residence, and a search of her home on September 15, 2022, recovered the phone used to make the threat. Leavy expressed disapproval of Boston Children's Hospital on multiple occasions and admitted to making the call, but stated she had no plan or intention to actually bomb the hospital.

Leavy faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 for the charge of making a false bomb threat. She also faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 for the charge of intentionally conveying false or misleading information.

Leavy is currently scheduled to be sentenced on March 19, 2024.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and law enforcement officials commended the joint investigation and prosecution of the case, which involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Police Department, and Westfield Police Department.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/westfield-woman-pleads-guilty-making-hoax-bomb-threat-against-boston-childrens-hospital