Overview
- The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office posted the child’s unblurred photo and name on Facebook, drawing about 48,000 comments by Thursday, with many users condemning the decision.
- Spokesperson Allison Merritt said the office has seen no repeat juvenile offenders since adopting the policy in 2018 and indicated the post will not be removed.
- Florida law permits releasing the identities of juveniles charged with felonies, and families can request online photos be taken down or pursue civil penalties if they are not removed within 10 days.
- The boy, identified as Anthony Walker, was arrested Oct. 9 on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill after alleged pocketknife threats during recess at Middleton-Burney Elementary in Crescent City.
- He was booked and released to a parent pending a court date, and a similar Oct. 2 arrest at Browning Pearce Elementary involved a 10-year-old on the same charge.