A Florida sheriff said he spent about $21,000 in less than a day investigating dozens of fake threats against schools posted on social media, blaming parents and students.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood held a press conference Friday with Volusia Public Schools officials and described the situation as “completely out of control.”
Chitwood said 54 threats were reported within 24 hours on the Fortify Florida app, which allows residents to report suspicious activity to law enforcement.
“So, school district investigators have been working around the clock investigating these reports, and ultimately, they all turned out to be false. So far, these investigations have cost us $21,000,” the sheriff said.
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Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said the investigation into the false threats cost the department $21,000. (FOX35 Orlando WOFL)
Fox News Digital has reached out to the sheriff's office for more information about the costs of the investigation and how they will be paid for.
Two Heritage Middle School students, ages 13 and 14, have been arrested and charged with felony writing death threats after posting messages on TikTok and Instagram about planning a school shooting; a third suspect is also under investigation.
Both students arrested and charged attended Heritage Middle School. (FOX35 Orlando WOFL)
Chitwood said law enforcement will “pursue” parents whose children make false threats of violence at school.
“Parents, you don't want to raise your kids, but I'm going to start raising them,” Chitwood said. “Every time I make an arrest, photos of your kids are going to be made public, and if I could, I'd take your kids so everyone could see what your kids are up to.”
Chitwood told the parents to “raise their children” or he would release photos of the children and start raising them himself. (eter Titmuss/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images, File)
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The sheriff said if a parent knew what their child was doing and did nothing, the parent would be taken away with their child.
“This is completely ridiculous,” Chitwood said. “Talk to any family member who's lost a loved one in a school shooting. These idiots think this is funny. Talk to any parent and you'll see how funny this is. It's not.”
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The sheriff's comments came less than two weeks after a 14-year-old student shot and killed two other 14-year-old students and two teachers at Apalachee High School near Atlanta.
