Sheriff posts mugshot of child charged with making false threat

Since the sheriff posted the social media images and videos of the alleged suspects, there has been a debate online about his decision.

Some social media users suggested the move would deter potential offenders. “Glad you are bringing these kids into custody and showing them this is not funny, they need to be disciplined,” a Facebook user wrote under one of the sheriff’s posts.

But others expressed concern about the potential impact on the children and teenagers.

Daniel Mears, a criminology professor at Florida State University who researches school shootings, told the Associated Press that juvenile records “were supposed to be confidential for a reason”.

“The idea was that kids would have a second shot in life,” Prof Mears said, while noting that school threats are treated differently.

Sheriff Chitwood, meanwhile, said he was unsure if the public shaming would work but “something has to be done”.

“Kids need to realise that what they post and send on social media is not private,” he wrote on social media. “It will get reported to us.”