5 bomb threats at SWFL schools in 15 days, why kids could face serious punishment

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- “A lot of times kids will do something as a prank, or think they are going to scare somebody,” said Bill Naylor, who works for the Juvenile Assessment Center in Lee County.

What kids don’t realize, is that they could end up somewhere like the Lee County Juvenile Detention Center, where a bed is a slab of concrete, and toilet paper is a privilege.

“The thing is, these are felony arrests and even if you are 10 years old, and call in a bomb threat, that felony arrest will stay with you until you are 24,” said Naylor.

WINK News crunched the numbers, and since 2011, at least 12 threats have been called into Southwest Florida schools.
Most end in arrests.

Naylor says it’s easy for threats to start and end with social media.

“If you type on social media, ‘I’m going to kill you,’ we don’t know if that’s a joke.”

In fact, last week, a 15-year-old North Fort Myers boy was arrested for calling in a threat.

Naylor says parents tend to be surprised, because they don’t see the warning signs.

“A lot of it is stress and drama that takes place at school,” said Naylor.

If parents are concerned, they can come to him. Naylor says he’ll give them a tour of the detention center, as well as coach both child and parent on how to cope.

“Find a person you can trust, talk to. Supervision is another key. Whether it’s at school, mentoring program, or you yourself being with your child doing activities,” said Naylor.

If you are concerned about your child’s activities, on social media or otherwise, Crime Stoppers at 239-332-5555, or Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 239-477-1000.