JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville mom tells Action News Jax that threatening messages were written on a playground for her 8-year-old daughter. One of the messages even calls for the little girl to take her own life.
"Every time she comes out, she looks at it," mother Deborah Royal said.
Royal showed Action News Jax messages that were written for her daughter on the neighborhood swing set.
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"I think they're bullying and threatening,” Royal said.
The messages, written in black permanent marker read, “Killer clowns are watching you. Die in a hole brat and kill yourself Destiny Royal.”
"It hurts her feelings. She's not mean to anybody," Royal said.
Royal said she immediately called police when her daughter found the words and gave officers the name of the girl she said left the messages.
"I called the police out and her dad said she didn't do it and that was it. They took his word for it," Royal said.
Action News Jax crime and safety expert Ken Jefferson said even if there is no way to prove who did it, a police report should have been written.
"This is something that you have to take serious. You can't just respond to a call like this and take it lightly," Jefferson said.
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Royal said the girl who they believe wrote the messages has been causing problems at home and school for several months, but nothing is being done and now they are moving.
"It's kind of heartbreaking because I know how she feels," Royal said.
Jefferson said even though it was written threat, "This threat should be considered a valid threat and should be taken serious by law enforcement and by the citizen as well."
Action News Jax reached out to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to see why a report wasn’t made, but haven’t heard back yet.
Royal also said her bike was stolen the same day.
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