11-Year-Old Charged After False Kidnapping 911 Call

On July 26, 2023, Volusia County dispatchers received urgent 911 text messages reporting an armed kidnapping on the interstate. The caller claimed to be following a white van with a restrained victim, describing the suspect’s hair and eye color. A deputy’s attempt to call back reached voicemail, prompting a multi‑agency response that included a helicopter.

Investigation

GPS data from the caller’s phone contradicted the claim of being on the highway and instead pointed to a residence in Port Orange, Florida. Deputies from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office and the Port Orange Police Department arrived at the home and spoke with the parents, who were unaware of the calls. The suspect’s phone contained multiple 911 calls placed at 9:30 a.m., including a message in which she told a dispatcher, “I’m sorry I dialed the wrong number.” When a deputy reached the suspect by phone earlier, she responded, “F myself,” before deleting the messages.

Arrest and Aftermath

The 11‑year‑old suspect, identified as Ava, admitted that a YouTube challenge about a kidnapping at a Chick‑fil‑A in Palm Coast inspired the false report. After being mirandized, she was taken into custody at a Family Resource Center and transferred to the Volusia Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Daytona Beach. Her father described the arrest as a necessary “lesson” for her behavior.

Legal Consequences

Ava faces a felony charge for making a false police report concerning the use of a firearm in a violent manner, and a misdemeanor charge for misuse of 911. Authorities emphasized the danger posed to officers who respond at high speeds to false emergencies, noting that a crash could have resulted in a fatality. The case underscores the severe legal and safety risks associated with “swatting” or prank calls to emergency services.

Community Reaction

Family members heard the deputy’s warning: “If you do something stupid in the future you’re going to enjoy those cuffs.” The suspect was reminded, “You just lied to the police and mommy and daddy you just lied to everybody,” and warned, “What you’ve done here is a felony.” The deputy added, “Do you know what happens if one of those officers crashes and gets killed on the way to responding to something that you did as a joke?”