Woman arrested after fully loaded gun found in 11-year-old's backpack at school

WHITE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — UPDATE 8:30 AM 10/20: Riley Merlo was taken into custody on Friday,

She remains in the Indiana County Jail with bail set at $5,000 monetary.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 5.

State police are searching for an Indiana County woman accused of stealing a gun that an 11-year-old student ended up bringing to school.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Riley Jayne Merlo, 23, of Creekside.

On Sept. 17, an 11-year-old boy brought a fully loaded gun to St. Bernard Regional Catholic School in White Township. Investigators don't believe the boy knew the gun was in his backpack until he was at school.

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State police said the gun had been reported stolen by the gun owner.

Investigators said Merlo, who is a family member of the student, stole the gun from the owner’s vehicle and put it in the student's backpack during a visit on Sept. 16.

Merlo is facing several charges, including risking a catastrophe and theft, state police said.

Anyone with information about Merlo’s whereabouts is asked to call state police.

Cox Media Group