School Open After Accidental Explosion; Teen’s Dad Charged

NEWAYGO, Mich. (AP) — Authorities filed charges Tuesday against the father of a teenager who accidentally detonated a homemade explosive at a western Michigan school.

The explosion Monday led to a search of the man’s home in Newaygo County’s Brooks Township. David Saylor was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and manufacture or possession of a Molotov cocktail.

“A vast array of different explosive devices were found and different materials,” Newaygo County prosecutor Worth Stay said.

Bond was set at $100,000. It wasn’t immediately known if Saylor, 34, has a lawyer who could comment.

Police said Saylor’s 16-year-old son brought a homemade explosive to Newaygo High School and accidentally detonated it, injuring himself, four other students and a teacher. Stay said the teen lost both thumbs.

The school reopened Tuesday after vents and the heating-and-cooling system were found to be safe, the district said.

“Law enforcement and school administrators met with students to review the situation and share any pertinent details about what had happened,” the district said in a statement.

Newaygo city police Chief Georgia Andres said the student showed a “severe lapse in judgment” but it “was definitely not something he intended.”

Newaygo is 35 miles (56.3 kilometers) north of Grand Rapids.