11-Year-Old Charged in More Than 20 Swatting Calls Against Schools

An 11-year-old boy from Virginia has been charged in connection with over 20 swatting calls made to schools in Florida. The incidents began on May 14, 2024, targeting various educational institutions, including Buddy Taylor Middle School and Flagler Palm Coast High School. Swatting involves making false emergency calls to provoke a significant police response, often by claiming violent situations, such as bomb threats or mass shootings. The boy reportedly admitted to making these calls after authorities tracked his identity using voice pattern analysis. He also confessed to making a threat against Maryland's State House. The charges against him include 14 felony counts related to false bomb reports and unlawful communication, along with misdemeanor counts for disrupting school functions. He is currently held in a juvenile detention facility in Virginia, with plans for his transfer to Florida being coordinated by the State Attorney’s Office. Local law enforcement expressed concern over the seriousness of the threats, especially with the school year approaching. The boy's name has been withheld, but officials hope he learns from this experience despite the severe nature of the charges he faces.