High School Student Arrested for 'Threatening' Social Media Post

MIAMI, FL — A high school student was arrested Monday after making a threatening social media post over the weekend that targeted three Miami-Dade high schools. The post elicited a response from Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho, who deemed the threat not credible. The threat affected John A. Ferguson, Felix Varela, and South Dade Senior High Schools.

"A female student was arrested after posting a threatening message on social media warning students not to attend John A. Ferguson, Felix Varela, or South Dade Senior High Schools today," Miami-Dade County Public Schools spokeswoman Daisy Gonzalez-Diego told Patch. "The message was discovered on Sunday afternoon." (Sign up for our free Daily Newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Miami Patch.

Carvalho took to Twitter before the start of school on Monday to reassure parents.

Gonzalez-Diego said that Miami-Dade School police began investigating as soon as they learned of the post.

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"They identified the person responsible for the hoax and proceeded to arrest her early this morning, before the start of school," Gonzalez-Diego said.

She added that the student also faces disciplinary action from school officials and should serve as a cautionary tale for other students.

"This incident serves as a reminder for parents to speak to their children about responsible social media use," she said. "This is a strong message that any action that has the potential to disrupt the safety, security and well-being of our students and staff will be dealt with seriously and swiftly."

She said that the district promotes responsible uses of social media among students with digital citizenship programs like "Think Before Click," and "#MDCPSPostsPositive."

Photo courtesy Miami-Dade County Public Schools