Florida Girl, 11, and Boy Arrested for Fake 911 Calls: Prank Leads to Serious Charges

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Florida Girl, 11, Arrested for Sending Fake 911 Text, Charged with Serious Offenses

MARION COUNTY, Fla. – In a shocking turn of events, an 11-year-old girl from Florida has been arrested for sending a fake 911 text claiming that her friend had been kidnapped. The incident occurred on Wednesday, and the girl, whose identity is being withheld due to her age, was taken into custody by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.

According to authorities, the young girl admitted that she sent the prank text because she thought it would be amusing. However, her actions have serious consequences. She has been charged with making a false police report concerning the use of a firearm in a violent manner, which is a felony, as well as the misuse of 911, which is a misdemeanor.

This incident is not an isolated case. Just a day earlier, another 11-year-old child was arrested in Marion County after calling 911 to report a fake school shooting. The motive behind the call was revealed to be a desire to leave school early. The boy, whose name is being withheld by FOX 35, has been charged with multiple offenses, including false report of a mass shooting, utilizing a two-way communication device to commit a felony, disruption of a school function, and misuse of 911, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident took place at Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks around 9:40 a.m. on Tuesday. The 911 call triggered a school-wide lockdown and the immediate response of law enforcement personnel and specialty units. Thankfully, no gunman or weapons were found, and no injuries were reported. After ensuring that all staff and students were safe, they were allowed to return to their classrooms.

The investigation into the fake 911 call led detectives to the 11-year-old boy responsible. At first, the student denied making the call, claiming that he left his phone and backpack in the school’s clinic. However, it was later discovered that he had taken his friend’s unattended phone and used it to make the false report.

During the 911 call, the boy can be heard saying, “Help, there is a school shooter walking through the hallway.” The dispatcher asked for clarification on the school’s name and the specific location within the building. However, the call abruptly ended before any further details could be provided.

Witnesses were able to identify the boy as the caller, revealing that he had mentioned his plan to go to the clinic earlier in the day so that his parents could pick him up early. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the entire incident was nothing more than a prank.

Sheriff Billy Woods expressed his disappointment and frustration, stating, “This student put fear into his fellow students, staff, and parents. And for what? A prank? Because you wanted to go home? I will not tolerate my young citizens being fearful of going to school because you wanted to be a ‘jokester’ in hopes of going home.”

As a result of his actions, the 11-year-old boy is facing serious consequences. He has been arrested and is now in custody at the Marion County Jail. Sheriff Woods also emphasized that the law requires individuals who make false reports of this nature to pay restitution for the cost of the law enforcement response. In this case, the bill will amount to hundreds upon hundreds of man-hours, which the young boy will need to work off.

These incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of responsible use of emergency services and the potential consequences of false reports. Authorities hope that these arrests will serve as a deterrent to others who may be considering similar pranks..