The  St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on March 20 on suspect Anthony Bauer, 48, of the 4600 block of Lindell Blvd, 63108, for a second-degree terrorist threat – a Class E felony.

Bauer is being held on a $100,000, cash-only, no 10% bond.  

The charges are merely accusations. Bauer is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. 

According to a probable cause statement, Mercy South Hospital, 10010 Kennerly Road, received a phone call on March 19 at approximately 2:24 p.m. The caller, later identified as Bauer, told the nurse who answered the phone that “there is a bomb in the building.” 

The nurse alerted hospital security who then called the police. Officers arrived at the hospital and did a canine search – forcing areas of the hospital to evacuate – and a room-to-room search. No bomb was found after the four-hour search operation.

Police further investigated by locating the phone number where the call originated, leading them to Bauer. Police then contacted Verizon and under exigent circumstances learned that the cellphone number was used to call that exact phone at Mercy at the exact time the nurse received the call.

Due to this evidence, Bauer was interviewed by police at his residence. The police did not share with Bauer that the call to the hospital involved a bomb threat, however, during his interview, Bauer stated that he did call a telemarketer but that “he never said anything about a bomb.” Realizing that Bauer had incriminated himself by mentioning a bomb, the officer went back and checked his body camera footage, confirming that no mention of a bomb had occurred prior to Bauer’s statement. 

Officers from the St. Louis County Police Department South County Precinct are leading this investigation.

Anyone with information should contact investigators at the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).