A Florida county sheriff’s office is under fire for posting the mugshot of a nine-year-old boy accused of threatening classmates with a knife during recess – insisting that transparency keeps local schools safe.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office posted the image of Anthony Walker, nine, on Facebook after he was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill at Middleton-Burney Elementary School in Crescent City.

The viral post, which has drawn nearly 48,000 comments, details how Walker allegedly brought a pocketknife to school, got into a fight with a classmate, and later threatened multiple students with the weapon.

According to deputies, one victim told investigators Walker pulled a knife from his backpack during a fight and said he was going to stab him. 

Another student said Walker tapped him on the back, then chased him with an open knife, while a third said the boy showed her the weapon and asked her not to tell teachers.

Walker was arrested Thursday and taken to the Putnam County Jail before being released to a parent until his court date.

In the department’s Facebook post, deputies urged parents to inspect their children’s school bags and speak openly with teachers if they see concerning behavior.

‘Several students reported seeing the knives throughout the day, but no one told a teacher until after the threats occurred at recess,’ the sheriff’s office wrote. ‘If the knives had been found and removed by an adult prior to the threats, the school could have handled discipline and this would not have escalated to a felony arrest.’

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office sparked outrage after posting the mugshot of nine-year-old Anthony Walker on Facebook

Walker was arrested at Middleton-Burney Elementary School in Crescent City, Florida, after allegedly threatening classmates with a pocketknife

Walker was arrested at Middleton-Burney Elementary School in Crescent City, Florida, after allegedly threatening classmates with a pocketknife

While many online blasted the sheriff’s office for releasing the child’s booking photo, the police department’s public information officer Allison Waters-Merritt defended the long-standing 2018 policy, saying it helps deter repeat offenses. 

‘We have not had any repeat offenders since we have put this in place,’ Waters-Merritt told local news station WTSP. 

‘Our parents are aware of the children that their students are hanging out with… and we are going to continue that to maintain the safety of our children and staff at all the Putnam County schools.’ 

The sheriff’s office says it will not remove the post, despite the backlash.

Juveniles charged with felonies are not protected by confidentiality Under Florida Statute 985.04, meaning their names, photos, and arrest reports can legally be released.

However, families have the right to request a takedown of the photo – and if an agency fails to comply within 10 days, it can face civil penalties.

Attorney Shannon Schott, who specializes in juvenile law, told WTSP that while the law allows the release, the ethics are questionable.

Putnam County's Public Information Officer Allison Merritt said the 2018 policy of publicly releasing juvenile mugshots has helped deter repeat offenses

Putnam County’s Public Information Officer Allison Merritt said the 2018 policy of publicly releasing juvenile mugshots has helped deter repeat offenses

Some commenters supported the sheriff's post, saying parents deserve to know if a child brings a weapon to school

Some commenters supported the sheriff’s post, saying parents deserve to know if a child brings a weapon to school

Others argued the boy should be protected from public shaming at such a young age as many users blamed his parents

Others argued the boy should be protected from public shaming at such a young age as many users blamed his parents

‘Just because we can post a mugshot of a nine-year-old doesn’t mean we should,’ Schott said. ‘The juvenile justice system is intended to keep things behind closed doors so a family can privately heal and help their child move forward.’ 

Schott warned that posting such images can affect a child’s mental health, schooling, and rehabilitation for years to come.

Some commenters supported the sheriff’s post, saying parents deserve to know if a child brings a weapon to school. 

‘While I hate that these young children have their photos posted, it sure has made adults stand up and take notice to the issue,’ said one user.

‘Zero tolerance,’ another commented.

Others argued the boy should be protected from public shaming at such a young age as many users blamed his parents. 

One user commented: ‘At this age, the focus should be on intervention, counseling, and protection, not criminalizing him in a way that could follow him for life. There should be statutes in place to protect children this young, this feels more like trauma and child abuse than justice.

‘What’s important is that he didn’t actually hurt someone physically, that he gets the help he so badly needs and that the ones he emotionally traumatized get help too,’ said a third. ‘Something snapped in this kid and it needs addressing big time.’

‘He was failed miserably. That was learned somewhere,’ commented another. 

Despite the outrage, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office says it will continue its policy of publicly releasing juvenile mugshots for felony charges – citing safety and deterrence.

Daily Mail has reached out to Middleton-Burney Elementary School for comment.