KISTLER — Pennsylvania State Police of Lewistown received a call around 9:45 a.m. Tuesday from Kistler Elementary School informing them that a student arrived at school with a folder soaked in gasoline.

Assisted by the fire marshal, officers arrived on scene around 11 a.m. and were escorted to the side of the building where the folder had been placed into a trash can.

The trooper on the case observed the folder and confirmed by its odor and the damage done to the folder that it was in fact soaked in gasoline recently as reported by the trooper.

While they were on scene, officers reviewed the video footage of that morning and noted that a blue Ford Mustang pulled into the side parking lot of the school. Officers witnessed Manuel Gaetan, 61, of Mapleton Depot as well as his son and daughter get out of the vehicle.

From the footage they watched, officers observed Gaetan lean into the front seat and grab the folder handing it to his son.

According to the footage, officers observed Gaetan’s son walking into the building holding the corner of the folder between his thumb and finger.

According to the child’s teacher, her student walked into the classroom holding the folder with two fingers, handing it to her. According to the boy, his dad told him that his teacher needed to smell it.

She related that she could smell the odor and told him to put it in the trash can.

The student proceeded to go to breakfast and when he returned she asked him why the folder was covered in gasoline. The boy told his teacher that his dad had spilt some gasoline on it and that she needed to smell it.

While they were on scene, officers spoke with both children of Gaetan in the presence of a guidance counselor where both children related that their father had spilled gasoline on the folder. The children said their father advised his son to give the folder to his teacher because he needed a new one.

The teacher described the folder as soaked in gasoline to the point it was dripping periodically. She further related that when her student put it in the trash can, her entire room began to smell like fumes.

The garbage bag was removed from the classroom and taken outside.

The vapor from gasoline can cause a fire or explosion if it comes into contact with an ignition source. Due to the folder being soaked in gasoline it could be toxic to students, teachers and all faculty.

Due to this fact about the folder, a warrant was issued for Gaetan. Officers then picked Gaetan up on Tuesday, April 8, when Gaetan also attended his preliminary arraignment with Magisterial District Judge Craig Weston presiding.

Gaetan was charged with terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct hazardous, criminal mischief and risking catastrophe.

Officers transported Gaetan to the Mifflin County Correctional Facility with a bail set for $50,000.

Gaetan’s preliminary hearing with MDJ Weston presiding is slated for Wednesday, April 16, 2025.