PALATKA, Florida — Authorities have arrested Isabella Galvin, a 12-year-old student, following the discovery of a notebook containing disturbing threats against her classmates at Palatka Junior-Senior High School. The shocking incident has sent waves of fear through the school and the broader community, highlighting growing concerns about student safety and juvenile crime in local schools.
Deputies report that the notebook, found in a school bathroom, contained specific names of students accompanied by written threats to harm or kill them. The detailed nature of the threats prompted immediate concern and swift action by school staff and law enforcement.
Upon investigation, Isabella Galvin admitted that the notebook belonged to her. Law enforcement officials described the threats as serious, noting that they were sufficiently detailed to warrant criminal charges and intervention by juvenile authorities.
Because the offenses would constitute a felony for an adult, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office released the juvenile’s name to alert the public of a potential threat to students and the school community. This step, they said, was taken to ensure parents and the community were informed and able to take precautions.
Galvin was taken into custody at the school and transported to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office for initial processing. Following the booking, she was transferred to a Florida Department of Juvenile Justice facility, where she will remain while the case moves through the juvenile court system.
Law enforcement has charged the 12-year-old with a second-degree felony for a written threat to kill, a serious charge given the potential risk posed to her classmates. Juvenile authorities are handling the case, emphasizing rehabilitation and safety while ensuring the community is protected.
Parents of the students whose names appeared in the notebook have already been notified. School counselors and administrators have been providing support to students affected by the threats, recognizing the trauma caused by learning that a peer intended to inflict harm.
The Palatka Junior-Senior High School has increased security measures in response to the incident. Administrators are coordinating with deputies to ensure that students, staff, and parents feel safe returning to school and that preventive protocols are reinforced to avoid similar threats in the future.
Community members and parents expressed shock and concern after the arrest. Many voiced the need for increased awareness around student mental health, bullying, and the importance of monitoring warning signs that could escalate into violent behavior.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the motives and potential influences that led a 12-year-old to create such a threatening document. Meanwhile, the school community is coming together to support affected students and restore a sense of safety while emphasizing vigilance and proactive measures.