12-year-old arrested for social media threats against a middle school in Virginia

MANASSAS, Va. — A 12-year-old girl is in police custody for making threats on social media towards a school in Manassas.

On Monday, officers began investigating threats made on TikTok towards Unity Braxton Middle School at 8:36 a.m. Officers were tipped off by another student.

Investigation revealed the girl was a Prince William County student. Police say the threats made were not credible, and there was no danger to students or teachers. 

The girl was arrested on Wednesday and charged with threats by electronic means. 

We have seen threats made towards school across Maryland and Virginia since the start of the new school year. In Maryland, there are laws in place that prevent law enforcement from arresting or charging minors under the age of 13. 

Just last month, a 15-year-old was charged in connection to bomb threats made against Bethesda Chevy-Chase High School earlier this year. An investigation revealed that the Maryland teen solicited the help of a 12-year-old from Pennsylvania to carry out the plan. The 12-year-old was not charged due to his age.