‘Enjoy Those Cuffs’: 11-Year Old Florida Girl Arrested For Prank-Texting 911

An 11-year-old Volusia County, Florida girl was arrested for prank-texting 911 claiming her friend had been kidnapped — but in reality — the whole thing was a hoax. The Law&Crime Network's Angenette Levy discusses this incident and its implications with the department's sheriff, Mike Chitwood. The case has drawn attention due to the young age of the individual involved and the nature of the false report.

In this interview, Sheriff Chitwood provides details on how the department responded to the initial 911 text and the subsequent investigation that revealed it to be a prank. Levy and Chitwood examine the department's decision-making process in this situation and discuss the protocols for handling false emergency reports. They also touch on the resources deployed during such incidents and how law enforcement addresses similar cases involving minors.

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[salliem]

If I pulled this at 11, I would be way more afraid of my parents than the police.

[hilarywitt]

If I did that when I was 11, I would be safer in prison.

[bri]

At first I felt bad for her parents when he was talking about how they’re going to have to pay for what all of this cost. I mean, it’s literally impossible for parents to be aware of every single thing their children are doing at that age. But when he said that her parents didn’t even take away her electronic devices and access to the internet after all of this it was clear that they needed to be taught a lesson as well.

[daysago]

If she’s turning this into a learning experience then it IS something she will carry with her the rest of her life. That’s how lessons work.

[mmay]

Yes, please bill the parents. Parents need to take accountability for their underage kids.

[zapbranigan]

I saw an 8 year old boy cussing out loud today with his mother, she didn't care... clearly this girl comes from similar dysfunctional family

[Yosetime]

This is how we kept our kids straight in the old days. And it worked! When my brother was 13 years old he was hanging out with this kid for the first time, they drank beer, got drunk, and slashed some tires. They were promptly caught. Back at our farm my mom gets a call (on the rotary phone people, rotary phone!) from the cops at 1 am asking her to come get him because he was crying his eyes out. My mom laughed and said "No, keep him there until tomorrow when I come to town. That should teach him a lesson". So they did. And that was that. He came home with a hangover and tail between his legs and never did it again.
But this fake kidnapping stuff is way more serious and not just little kids doing it. That 20 something girl who pulled off that "toddler on the hwy" stunt for social media fame is a good example. Parents don't believe in consequences anymore. They need to. Our children are not delicate. They need consequences. It's a part of life.

[Eldritchinator]

This presents a real danger. Not only does this waste police resources and manpower, they're gonna show up ready to rock and roll for a call like that

[valkyriesardo]

That child needs a reality check. Everything is a game to her. I would guess life has been generous and kind so far and she's never faced any consequences. And she's very likely desperate for attention.

[alanaambroo]

My mom is a retired cop. If I had the guts to pull this sort of thing as a kid, I don't wanna think about what would happen to me. Hopefully this young girl takes this as a learning experience like this officer said.

[robindelude]

Her parents absolutely SHOULD be on the hook for the cost of their daughter's stupidity. This is what happens when parents allow electronic devices to be nannies to their kids.

[missydehart]

If she’d been mine, she would no longer have had a phone, tablet, whatever.

[karlamena]

The problem is that these kids don't understand there's consequences for your actions. There's no more accountability or common sense.

[SoraFan]

To any parent out there. SUPERVISE YOUR CHILDREN!

[TheHandsomeman]

After being released, She just began making, "off the cuff remarks"!

[Dreamz.]

At 11 years didn’t have a cell phone, outside playing soccer, running in mud, riding bikes 🚲, returning home at 9pm and sleep

[memyself]

I've always had a pretty healthy fear of my parents plus I never wanted to disappoint them. Kids nowadays are so spoiled & never get in trouble for their bad behavior. This 11 yo girl didn't face any consequences by her parents. They didn't take away any of her privileges. And now they are going to have a massive bill to take care of thanks to their daughter & will probably set up a GoFundMe account to pay for it. Makes me sick. Seriously.

[aaronsand]

I didn’t even know you could text 911…

[ConnorMiller]

Parents need to do a better job monitoring their kids, especially what they have access to. If I ever pulled this crap as a kid, my Dad would let the police take me away and let me experience jail to teach me a lesson. Someone needs to teach these kids some responsibility!

[ShamankingZuty]

I didn't even know you could text 911.

*EDIT:* Select counties in the following states now have the text-to-911 option: Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Montana, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia.