Washington state teacher charged, upset over PTSD claim

PUYALLUP, Wash. – Washington state prosecutors have charged a high school teacher of felony harassment after suspecting she made threatening comments.

Pierce County prosecutors accused 58-year-old Puyallup teacher Julie Hillend-Jones of threatening to shoot and kill students at Emerald Ridge High School, the Tacoma News Tribune reported Thursday.

Prosecutors said she made threats during a phone call Tuesday with her case worker after previously filing a PTSD workers compensation complaint.

Court records said the case worker reported Hillend-Jones to police saying she made threats after being told she would have to go through her own insurance.

A not guilty plea was entered on her behalf at arraignment in Pierce County Superior Court.

Officials said Hillend-Jones was prohibited from going near the school, contacting staff or students or possessing weapons.