A 16-year-old boy from Missouri was arrested Monday after allegedly making a bomb threat on a Spirit Airlines flight scheduled to depart Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred around 3:15 p.m. on Spirit Airlines flight 1332, which was set to travel to Missouri. Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office Airport District responded to the bomb threat and quickly took the teen into custody. He has been charged with criminal mischief of $1,000 or more and making a false report of a bomb or explosive.
Officials have not released details about the nature of the threat or what led investigators to the teen, who was reportedly visiting Florida while on vacation and staying with family friends.
Spirit Airlines confirmed that the aircraft was moved to a remote location on the airfield, and all passengers were safely deplaned while law enforcement conducted an inspection and cleared the plane.
At a juvenile court hearing Tuesday, the teen’s father, Phillip Schmidt, urged the judge for compassion. “I don’t believe he acted criminally. He was acting as an immature 16-year-old in my opinion,” Schmidt said.
The judge ordered a psychological evaluation for the teen, who is currently being held in juvenile detention. His identity has not been released due to his age.
