A 12-year-old girl from Apache Junction has been arrested following a threatening social media post targeting Cactus Canyon Junior High, the local police department reported. The Apache Junction Police Department (AJPD) initiated an inquiry after receiving the concerning information on Tuesday, September 17th, leading to the arrest.
Working quickly in response to a flurry of calls from distressed people in the community, the AJPD managed to trace the threat's credibility and source. Thanks to this cooperative effort between law enforcement and the public, the young student at the heart of this situation was identified and brought into custody.
During an interview with authorities, the student, whose identity is protected due to her minor status, conceded to making the frightening post. Consequently, charges have been brought against her for interfering with or disrupting an educational institution, a class 6 felony.
A statement from the AJPD, conveyed through their Public Information Officer Rayna Steffen, emphasized that "Being behind a computer does not provide anonymity" and stressed that such threats "are taken very seriously and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." The student is now booked into the Pinal County Youth Justice Center. The presence of School Resource Officers (SRO) at local schools was highlighted by AJPD for their role in bolstering security in light of the incident, ensuring peace of mind for students and parents alike.
The AJPD upholds a commitment to student safety and has affirmed the ongoing assignment of an SRO to every educational institution in the city. In the wake of the incident, the department has called upon parents to engage with their children about the dangers and consequences of threatening conduct and the importance of reporting such behavior rather than sharing it online. For more information, individuals can visit the Apache Junction official website at apachejunctionaz.gov.
