FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A 27-year-old woman faced felony charges on Tuesday in Broward County after allegedly threatening “to blow up” the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale.
Melissa Redway is a former teacher at Westminster Academy, the church’s private school at 5601 North Federal Highway, according to police.
“After sustaining an alleged brain injury, and not able to conduct her teaching duties, she was laid off,” a police officer wrote, according to the arrest report.
Redway, of Coconut Creek, is also a former member of the choir at the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church at 5555 North Federal Highway, according to police.
“During her time away and changing personnel, she lost her position. Redway did not accept the news well and attempted to rejoin the church choir,” a police officer wrote, according to the report.
A leader at the church reported Redway used Gmail to send a threatening e-mail at about 11 a.m. on Feb. 8 that raised concerns about the safety of a concert on Feb. 20 at the church, according to the report.
Court records show the church’s executive director had accused Redway of stalking violence after service on Feb. 19, and the case closed. A judge issued an arrest warrant on April 20 over the alleged threat.
Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Redway on Monday, and corrections held her on Tuesday at the North Broward Bureau, according to inmate records.
Redway faced charges of threatening to throw, project, place, or discharge a destructive device, a second-degree felony, and writing and sending a threat to kill or injure someone, also a second-degree felony. Her bond was $7,500.
Local 10 News Assignment Editor Carson Merlo contributed to this report.
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