A 12-year-old boy accused of making threats to stab another boy and showing a photo of 15 knives in a group chat, was arrested Sept. 25, according to a release from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to a report from a parent stating their son received a text from the boy threatening to stab him. When deputies interviewed the victim, he said the boy was arguing with him in the group chat when he sent a photo “of a box of knives followed by multiple threats,” the release stated.
Deputies said the photo included a “box containing 15 knives and a brass knuckle,” along with a profanity-laden threat to stab the victim.
Deputies then interviewed the suspect and his parents at his residence. The News-Journal is not naming the boy because he is not being charged as an adult. He said he sent the threat “because he was angry.” His parents gave deputies consent to search his room, where deputies located the box of knives seen in the photo.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office found knives in a 12-year-old boy’s bedroom who was accused of threatening another boy.
Deputies arrested the boy for written or electronic threats to kill or commit bodily harm. He was transported to the Flagler County jail, where he was processed and then turned over to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. He was finally transported to the Volusia Family Resource Center.
“This is an unfortunate situation where we had to arrest a child, but we take threats like this very serious,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “It is important for parents to be aware of what their children are saying to each other on social media and monitor their activity. I also urge parents to be the sheriff in your home and make sure that children know the consequences of threatening someone. It may not seem like a big deal to them, but they need to know that it is a felony crime under Florida law and can have serious consequences.
“It doesn’t matter how old they are or they tell us they were joking when we knock on your door because it’s no joking matter,” Staly continued. “They will get arrested. Parents, also teach your children how to handle disputes, as that education will last them a lifetime.”
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Flagler deputies find stash of knives in 12-year-old suspect’s room