Threats against 2 schools investigated, 1 person arrested
MIAMI - One person was arrested Friday morning after an investigation into threats that were made online Thursday to a southwest Miami-Dade middle school, according to Miami-Dade Public Schools.
"Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) became aware of a social media threat involving Lamar Louise Curry Middle School. With the help of school administration, Miami-Dade Schools Police immediately investigated and made an arrest," according to a statement from the school district.
The person arrested was taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center.
Maria Ocampo said her daughter showed her screenshots of the threats.
"Immediately she just sent it to all her friends in the chat. I got very scared. As a matter of fact, I called the police myself and I contacted some of the moms after that," she said.
"I'm happy that he got caught, I mean, thank God he's not going to harm anybody," said Ocampo.
Lianet Bascerrechea said she was not entirely comfortable sending her daughter to school on Friday, even with an arrest.
"Not 100 % secure because the student can be connected to another student, or you never know, maybe somebody else has the idea of doing that," she said.
This was not the only school to deal with a threat.
Late Thursday evening, Nicole Nearor, the principal of Coconut Creek High School, sent a message to parents saying they were aware of "a potential threat to our school of an image made via social media. We immediately worked with law enforcement to safely handle the situation. As a precautionary measure, there are extra police and security personnel on our campus."
It is unclear who was behind the potential threat to the high school.
Parents are urged to speak with their children about school threats. Even if they are made as a joke there are serious consequences.
In Florida, a threat made against a school is a second-degree felony. Students also face school disciplinary measures, including expulsion.