- December 4, 2025
A 12-year-old boy was arrested on Sept. 25 for threatening to stab another child during an argument in a group chat.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to the threat when a concerned parent reported a threat their son received over text, a FCSO press release said. The victim told deputies the suspect was arguing with him when the suspect sent the victim a picture of a box containing 15 knives and a brass knuckle followed by text threatening to stab the victim.
FCSO deputies then went to the suspect's home and interviewed him and his parents. The 12-year-old admitted to sending the text messages and said he did so because he was angry, the press release said. Deputies searched his room and found the box of knives that was pictured.
The 12-year-old was arrested on a felony charge of sending a written or electronic threats to kill or commit bodily harm, the press release said. He was taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and later turned over to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
Sheriff Rick Staly urged parents to make sure their children know the consequences of threatening someone. It is no joking matter, he said.
“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."
