Authorities in Putnam County revealed that the young student is facing a second-degree felony charge following the finding of a notebook in a girls’ restroom that contained written threats aimed at fellow students.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office reported that the notebook, ominously titled “Deth Note,” listed several names, each accompanied by the chilling phrase, “I’m going to kill her.” Investigators noted that the notebook included a statement that identified it as belonging to the 12-year-old, who later confessed to owning it during questioning.

Upon this alarming discovery, school officials promptly reached out to the parents of the students mentioned in the notebook, and the student was taken into custody by law enforcement. She now faces charges for making written threats to kill, and has been transferred to a juvenile detention center.

Deputies have noted that the notebook’s title appears to draw inspiration from the Japanese anime and manga series “Death Note,” where a character has the power to kill individuals by writing their names in a special book.

First Coast News Crime and Safety Expert Ken Jefferson said the strong response highlights how much has changed since the Parkland school shooting.

“It is a felony to make a threat to do harm to a school or a person in school,” Jefferson said. “In the past, it might’ve been just a suspension or expulsion. But now, you’re looking at jail time — this is a serious offense.”

Jefferson said lawmakers have strengthened these laws in recent years to deter threats and prevent violence before it happens.

“All these things have prompted our lawmakers to put some teeth into the law to try and prevent this from happening,” he said.

He also cautioned that not every child who makes a threat intends harm, some may be struggling mentally or emotionally.

“You never want to discount a child who may be psychologically distressed,” Jefferson said. “They’ll show signs that they’re crying out for help, but they don’t always know how to verbalize it.”

The Putnam County School District said it follows Florida’s zero-tolerance policy for any act that poses a threat to school safety.

This is the third case this month in Putnam County where a child 12 or younger has faced felony charges for threatening other students. Deputies said the latest case remains under investigation.