Family of teen charged in Polk County 'swatting' case shares their side of the story
Share this @internewscast.com

POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — On Thursday, News Channel 8 brought you a story about two out-of-state teens arrested for prank calling 911.

On Friday, the family of one of those teens shared their side to the story.

They don’t deny their brother made that call but still don’t believe he should be locked up.

We are not naming the teen nor his family because of age.

“It’s very devastating,” the sister said. “I’ve never seen my brother in the shape that he’s in now.”

The last time this pair of sisters saw their 15-year-old brother was at a juvenile detention center in Hartford, Connecticut.

Since then, he has been extradited to Florida.

“He cried in my arms like it was devastating,” the sister said.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said three teens were playing Fortnite online when they started arguing.

The sheriff said it went downhill from there when the teens called to report a crime that never happened.

“Typically, when teenagers are online and engaged in gaming, emotions can run high, and one player might become upset with another, or perhaps angered over a lost game. In such instances, they may resort to looking up their rival’s address and phoning the local police or sheriff’s office,” he explained.

But the teen’s family says that isn’t the case.

They assert that someone online coerced their brother into making the call, threatening to expose private family information if he refused.

But when that teen was threatened a second time, his sisters say he refused, so someone swatted their home a few days later.

East Hartford police confirmed they responded to the home and determined it was a fake 911 call.

Now, the teen faces felony charges in Polk County.

“I believe that he’s being made an example for others who might consider swatting or think it’s entertaining. However, he shouldn’t be the one showcased as he’s also a victim of manipulation,” the sister expressed.

So what is it that makes people online feel so daring?

News Channel 8 went to Tampa Bay gamer Phillip Moss to find out.

“Anonymity is a big thing, like I’m never going to see that person online that I just talked all this mad crazy things about me and I’m never going to see them,” Moss explained.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said, if the family’s statements are true, it’s something their local law enforcement should look into.

The 15-year-old’s next court date is next Friday.

A 14-year-old from Syracuse, New York was also extradited and charged in the case.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Johnson City Resident Sentenced to 32 Years for 2021 Overdose Death

A Johnson City man has been sentenced to over 30 years in…

Didn’t hit the $1.4B Powerball jackpot? Check your ticket, you might still win!

(NEXSTAR) — If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you didn’t…

SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Additional Starlink Satellites from Florida

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. – SpaceX on Friday will launch yet another…

Trump Plans to Rename the Pentagon as the ‘Department of War’

WASHINGTON – On Friday, President Donald Trump is set to sign an…

A New Business is Opening Soon in Mahomet

MAHOMET, Ill. (WCIA) — A village in Central Illinois is continuing to…

In unusual interviews, federal judges express disapproval of Supreme Court’s approach to Trump-related cases

WASHINGTON — Federal judges are frustrated with the Supreme Court for increasingly…

Joseph McNeil, a Key Figure in North Carolina Lunch Counter Sit-Ins, Passes Away at 83

RALEIGH, N.C. – Joseph McNeil, one of the quartet of North Carolina…

Vance: No Plans to Deploy National Guard to Chicago Anytime Soon

Vice President Vance stated on Wednesday that there are “no immediate” plans…

St. Pete Woman Hit with $48,000 Water Bill Raises Concerns Over City Meter Accuracy

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — The St. Petersburg City Council is taking…

Community Rallies to Support 92-Year-Old Veteran After Car Accident Damages Florida Home

OCKLAWAHA, Fla. – A 92-year-old veteran of the Korean War was left…

“Funding for ‘Creative Pinellas’ from County Faces Potential Cuts”

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — Throughout Pinellas County, vibrant murals including the…

August Sees Most Significant Job Reductions Since Pandemic: Report

Layoffs spiked by almost 40 percent last month, with companies cutting 85,979…