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Gene Kennedy Reporting Three Grantsville teenagers are facing charges for dumping rattlesnakes in a high school parking lot. The incident sent a teenager to the hospital.
A snake bit one young man when he tried to pick it up. He is doing fine and is back in school today.
But meantime, the teenagers who allegedly put the snakes in the parking lot at Grantsville High may be suspended. They also could face misdemeanor charges of reckless endangerment.
Det. Dan Chamberlain, Grantsville Police Dept.: "The only one who said as to why said it was a prank, I don't think they gave it a lot of forethought. They were out there, found them, and didn't know what to do with them. Figured that would be something to do. They actually know the teen. Two of them actually went out to the hospital and tried to see him. There was no maliciousness there. They I think they're sorry now."
Late last week, students started noticing rattlesnakes on school grounds. Turns out, there were seven baby snakes. The baby snakes are not as mature as adults but still six to eight inches long.
When a teenager picked one up, the snake bit him on the thumb, forcing him to go to the hospital. Over the weekend, he received anti-venom treatment and was released.
Mike Johnsen, School Superintendent: "That tells us he's doing well. He's healthy. Sure hope there isn't any other damage to him in any other way, tissue or something like that. Glad there wasn't more serious harm."
Most of the snakes have been removed but the school superintendent believes there may be one more on campus.
A letter has been sent out to parents, warning students to be on the lookout for snakes and to wear closed toe shoes.
