By Cindy Kranz
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Colerain Township Police Sgt. Dan Meloy (left), Hamilton County Sheriff Lt. Rick Merschbach and Northwest Schools Superintendent Kathryn Hellweg address the media during a press conference. (Michael Snyder photo)

BEVIS - Two Northwest High School students were arrested Thursday after graffiti laced with racial slurs and threats to "blow up" the school were discovered on three bathroom walls this week, and paper towels were set on fire in a restroom.

Steve Barnett of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department said the girls, a 15-year-old sophomore and 17-year-old senior, were each charged with one count of aggravated arson and inducing panic. A bundle of paper towels was set on fire in a school restroom Wednesday.

Investigators do not believe racism was the motive because the 17-year-old girl is African-American. Both girls, Barnett said, are suspected of committing the acts together.

"These are probably just troubled kids," Barnett said.

In a joint press conference Thursday, Colerain Township police and Hamilton County sheriff's deputies declined to elaborate on the graffiti's content, but it was serious enough that it led to a massive search before school began Thursday morning.

Everyone was required to enter the main entrance, where book bags, purses and coats of every fifth student, teacher and staff member were searched. No weapons were found, police said. The building was also searched Wednesday night, but nothing was found.

Colerain Township Police Sgt. Dan Meloy and Lt. Rick Merschbach of the Hamilton County Sheriff Department's criminal investigation section outlined how the investigation unfolded.

Graffiti was first discovered in a girls' bathroom Monday. More graffiti was discovered in two girls' bathrooms Wednesday, the same day paper towels were set on fire.

A search was planned for Thursday, as a safety precaution, because the initial graffiti indicated a "time frame," Merschbach said. The graffiti, he said, contained racial slurs, but also information directed at the school and students in general.

As students arrived at school, police learned new information that led to the arrest of the girls. Both were taken to the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center.

Northwest High School parents received a letter from Principal Greg Hester on Thursday, explaining that students were searched as a safety precaution.

Reporters Dan Horn and Reid Forgrave contributed. E-mail ckranz@enquirer.com