PORT ORANGE, Fla. — An 11-year-old girl was arrested after allegedly making a false 911 call on Wednesday, claiming that her friend had been kidnapped by an armed man in a white van on South I-95.
The prank call prompted a significant response from various law enforcement agencies, including the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Edgewater Police, New Smyrna Beach Police, and Port Orange Police departments. Helicopters were also dispatched to the scene.
The call came in at 9:45 a.m., with the girl reporting that her 14-year-old friend had been abducted, and she was following the suspect in a blue jeep.
Over the next hour and a half, she continued texting updates, providing a description of the alleged kidnapper and claiming he was armed.
Deputies traced the call to a home in Port Orange and arrived at the location around 10:23 a.m. They contacted the 11-year-old girl’s father, who confirmed she was at home with her family. The girl came out to meet the deputies, holding her cell phone, which was ringing – it was the Volusia County Sheriff’s Dispatch calling back.
When questioned, the girl admitted that she got the idea to make the prank 911 call from a YouTube challenge and thought it would be funny.
However, her actions were condemned by Sheriff Mike Chitwood, who emphasized that such pranks are dangerous and waste valuable resources that could be used to help someone in genuine need.
As a result, the 11-year-old girl was charged with making a false police report concerning the use of a firearm in a violent manner and misuse of 911.
She was taken to the Family Resource Center for processing and subsequently transferred to the Volusia Regional Juvenile Detention Center.
In response to internet-related dangers for children, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office announced plans to hold several community meetings in July and August aimed at raising awareness and providing guidance to parents and guardians.
