TOWN OF WALLKILL — A 9-year-old has been arrested and charged with making a terroristic threat against children at Maple Hill Elementary School, police said.

According to Town of Wallkill police, school officials reported that a threatening message was left on the school’s answering system at 11:52 a.m. Dec. 26, during the holiday vacation. Police said the caller threatened to harm children as they returned to school Monday morning.

Police investigated the report early Monday and arrested a 9-year-old Middletown child that afternoon. The child was charged with the felony of making a terroristic threat as well as aggravated harassment, and released to the custody of a parent.

The child is to appear Jan. 11 in Orange County Family Court.

Middletown Schools Superintendent Ken Eastwood declined to comment on the matter Tuesday.