Parents react after Arizona girl arrested for threatening South MKE school

SOUTH MILWAUKEE – A social media threat that sparked concern among families in South Milwaukee led to the arrest of a 12-year-old girl near Phoenix, Arizona.

The child was charged with serious crimes, including making terrorist threats.

South Milwaukee police told TMJ4 that the child had previous ties to the area but had not previously come to the attention of local law enforcement. She also admitted to making the threat on the social media platform TikTok.

Watch: Parents react after Arizona girl arrested for threatening South Milwaukee school

Parents react after Arizona girl arrested for threatening South Milwaukee school

“It wasn't planned and the post wasn't specific to South Milwaukee Middle School, but the profile had those initials. We took it very seriously. Parents reported it to us because their children had seen it,” said Deidre Roemer, South Milwaukee school board member.

Roemer says they worked with police to ensure schools could open safely on Monday.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice announced on Monday that it had received more than 120 reports of planned attacks on schools so far this school year, calling this a “peak number.”

Parents outside the school district told TMJ4 that it was a positive sign that people were being held accountable for threats at school, but that it was a difficult situation.

“If they hadn’t received the right punishment, who knows where it would have led?” said mother Abbie Anderegg.

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“I would not advocate locking up a 12-year-old, but the parent in me says you have to help the 12-year-old,” explained Antoine Williams.

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Roemer urges the public to report anything that may affect safety.

The 12-year-old is facing charges in Arizona. TMJ4 News has asked the courts for information but has not yet received a response.

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