A Florida sheriff said he spent nearly $21,000 investigating dozens of false threats against schools posted on social media, blaming parents and students.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said Friday. Speaking at a news conference alongside officials from Volusia Public Schools, he said the situation was “totally 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.
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.
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.”
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 that's lost a loved one in a school shooting. These idiots think this is funny. Talk to any parent and you'll understand how funny this is. It's not.”
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.
