The Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Marion County Children’s Alliance are reminding parents and children of the consequences that accompany online threats and bullying.
The announcements come in the wake of the last day of classes for schools across Marion County, which is Wednesday, May 26.
“Be sure that you are aware of what you (and your children) are writing online,” reads a Facebook post from the sheriff. The post goes on to say that writing and sending written threats “to kill or do bodily harm to another person is a second degree felony.”
If related to mass violence, school shootings, or other types of violence, these types of threats, if posted or transmitted in writing, can lead to a person being arrested on felony charges.
“Writing threats to kill or injure is a 2nd degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison, 15 years of probation, and $10,000 in fines,” reads a post from the Marion County Children’s Alliance on cyber bullying. They go on to suggest that threats over social media, including SnapChat, Tik Tok, Twitter, Instagram, and even text messages can be considered cyber bullying.
If you or anyone you know has been the victim of cyberbullying, contact the “Stop Bullying Now” hotline at 1-800-273-8255, or reach out to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 352-402-6000.