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Florida Man Perp Walks Minor
Volusia County, FL – In a decisive move against the surge of school threats, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood is taking a firm stance on juvenile offenders and their parents. His office has already received 54 tips about potential school threats since September 13, 2024—all of which have been false. However, the false reports have come at a cost: $21,000 in investigation expenses.
Recent Arrests and Costs of Threats
On the night of September 16th, two students from Heritage Middle School, aged 13 and 14, were arrested for posting threats on social media platforms TikTok and Instagram, threatening a school shooting. Both now face felony charges for making written threats to kill. This swift action reflects the zero-tolerance policy Volusia County law enforcement is adopting regarding school threats.
Sheriff Chitwood emphasized that all threats are taken seriously, whether they are from anonymous accounts or “jokes.” “Don’t make us raise your kids,” Chitwood said during a press conference. “We’re going to publicly embarrass the parents.”
Under Florida law, the costs incurred during investigations can be charged to the parents of the juvenile defendants. In response to the recent spike in school threats across the state, Sheriff Chitwood and Volusia County Schools Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin are urging parents to take a more active role in supervising their children’s online activities.
The High Stakes of School Threats
While no credible threats to any Volusia County schools have been identified so far, each tip requires immediate and thorough investigation, consuming valuable law enforcement resources. To date, 11 weapons have been found in schools this year, underscoring the severity of the situation. Sheriff Chitwood warned that his office would continue to pursue criminal charges to the fullest extent of the law in every possible case, releasing photos and names of juvenile offenders involved in such crimes.
On September 16, Chitwood’s office also arrested an 11-year-old Creekside Middle School student for making threats to commit a school shooting at both Creekside and Silver Sands Middle Schools. The student, identified as Carlo “Kingston” Dorelli, wrote a list of names and targets, claiming it was meant as a joke. Despite his explanation, Dorelli now faces felony charges for making a written threat of a mass shooting. Deputies recovered airsoft rifles, pistols, fake ammunition, knives, swords, and other weapons the student had showcased in a video.
Public Message to Parents
In light of these incidents, Chitwood and Superintendent Balgobin are asking parents to reinforce the importance of responsible behavior with their children. However, the Sheriff’s Office continues to encourage the community to “See Something, Say Something” and report potential threats for investigation.
“This message is not meant to dissuade anyone from reporting a tip about a possible threat, even if the threat turns out to be a hoax,” Chitwood stated. “But we will make an example out of those who falsely make these threats, and that includes holding parents accountable.”
Sheriff Chitwood’s Reputation for Tough Justice
Sheriff Chitwood is no stranger to the concept of the “perp walk,” having gained national attention on March 14, 2023, when he perp-walked a man off a plane for making anti-Semitic threats. His latest crackdown on school threats demonstrates his determination to curb this alarming trend.
“We’re going to publicly embarrass the parents,” Chitwood warned, signaling that he would not only focus on the juveniles but also on their guardians if they could have intervened to prevent such actions.
The Growing Trend of School Threats Nationwide
The increase in school threats has become a nationwide challenge for law enforcement agencies. As Sheriff Chitwood pointed out, even threats with no credible evidence cause disruptions and alarm within schools and communities. The wave of school threats forces law enforcement to allocate significant resources for investigation, affecting their ability to respond to other emergencies.
A Call to Action for the Community
The situation underscores the critical role of community vigilance and parental involvement in preventing potential tragedies. Law enforcement and school officials in Volusia County are urging parents to discuss the seriousness of school threats with their children, emphasizing that making such threats is not a joke but a serious crime with life-altering consequences.
Sheriff Chitwood’s firm approach sends a clear message: The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office will take every threat seriously and act with the full weight of the law to ensure school safety. As schools and communities across Florida and the nation grapple with these challenges, Chitwood’s actions may set a precedent for how to address this complex issue moving forward.
