'This was absolutely wrong' Pana police respond and continue to investigate 'incident' at Pana High School

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The Pana Police Department has opened "multiple investigations" after a social media post started circulating online over the weekend involving several students at Pana High School, according to the department on Facebook.

A video circulating on social media, and shared with WAND News, appears to show students holding up another student to put their head in a toilet.

WAND News has not been able to authenticate the video, but Pana police said the social media post they're investigating took place inside a bathroom at Pana High School.

Police said they've been in contact with school officials to learn more. They have also been in contact with the "parent/guardian of the alleged victim."

Pana Police Chief, Daniel Bland, shared that the video was brought to their attention Saturday morning.

Chief Bland shared, this is not the first time they have been notified of incidents in the school. "We have responded to fights at the school. We've enforced criminal action ordinance violations for fighting."

The department said on Saturday because of information they gathered they've opened "multiple criminal investigations."

Chief Bland said he, and his department, are taking this investigation very seriously. "This was absolutely wrong. We're going to have to establish the facts, which the video makes that a lot easier."

The investigation is still ongoing, and the Pana Police Department are communicating with school administration. Chief Bland hopes to ensure safety at Pana High School in the coming days, and hold people accountable for their actions.

"We've ramped up police presence at the schools because we want the school faculty and students to feel safe..." Bland added. "We meet with the school, the staff, even the students from junior high all through high school each year reminding them the consequences of bullying. Hopefully we'll have some closure for the victim, and accountability for this to not happen again."

Pana police said once their investigations are complete they will forward information to the Christian County State's Attorney Office for potential prosecution.

Pana Community Unit School District 8 posted on Facebook Saturday morning it was aware of the incident being shared on social media.

"A thorough investigation was conducted and appropriate discipline was administered," the post said.

Interim Superintendent Dr. David Lett, shared a statement with WAND News late Sunday evening. He said, "This matter has been taken very seriously by District Officials."

He went on to say this district is not at liberty to comment to further on the results of the investigation or student discipline administered due to student records protections and minors confidentiality rights."

"The district takes student safety very seriously and will continue to work cooperatively with local law enforcement to ensure student safety remains its top priority." said Dr. Lett.