Mother charged, son to get psychiatric evaluation, allegedly admits planned attack

Authorities have charged the mother of a boy who had rifle and told police that he was planning a Columbine-type attack on Plymouth Whitemarsh High School.

A police affidavit released today says the 14-year-old, Dillon Cossey, "admitted to plans of carrying out the attack on Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School."

It describes the allegedly planned attack as "a Columbine type shooting."

His mother, Michele Cossey, 46, of East Church Road in Plymouth Township, was charged this morning with several felonies, including unlawful transfer of firearms and aiding the possession of a firearm by a minor.

The 9mm rifle was seized yesterday, but today a police affidavit disclosed that there were additional weapons in the house.

The affidavit said, "The child also stated that Michele Cossey purchased a Ruger .22 hand gun, a single shot .22 rifle, and a 9 mm semi-automatic rifle for the child." They were not in the family's possession when police arrested the teenager Wednesday night.

At Cossey's arraignment, her attorney, Tim Woodward, said his client was "not physically well," but declined to elaborate. She required the assistance of detectives, and a walker, to get into the court room.

In a separate proceeding, Dillon, who was found in possession of the operative 9mm weapon as well as air guns and a Columbine video, was detained and ordered to under psychiatric and academic evaluations.

The teenager's attorney, J. David Farrell, said he understood why students and parents were concerned, but said, "There was never any imminent danger of harm."

"This is a Columbine in the making? Its simply not borne out by the facts," said J. David Farrell, "The gun was never used in an unlawful manner."

Farrell said the youth was "intelligent, he's articulate, he understands the gravity of these offenses."

Plymouth Township Deputy Chief of Police Joe Lawrence said the two other firearms connected were discovered because the mother had given them to a friend so her husband would not know about the weapons.