MIAMI – A 13-year-old girl faced a judge Thursday, a day after she was arrested for allegedly bringing a loaded gun to Carol City Middle School in Miami Gardens.
Police said the girl showed the weapon to classmates in a threatening manner.
"The aunt, the first thing she said was, 'Thank God the gun jammed,'" the family's pastor, the Rev. Richard Dunn, said.
School board officials said a staff member was quick to act and took the gun before calling officers, who arrested the teen.
The girl faces charges of attempted assault with a deadly weapon and carrying a concealed firearm.
"The family is very saddened and they feel very bad about what happened, but they thank God that a bad situation didn't become worse," attorney Larry Handfield said.
Police said Kerry Watkins, 34, was arrested for failing the secure the firearm.
The teen was placed on home detention with an ankle monitor.
"You stay inside your house," Miami-Dade County Judge Maria de Jesus Santovenia told her. "Pay attention, because we’re talking about what you are required to do. You stay inside your house where you will be serving (time) inside the house instead of (at) the juvenile detention facility."
School district spokeswoman Daisy Gonzalez-Diego praised staff for taking "life-saving action."
"We want to remind every parent and member of our community that storing firearms properly can potentially save lives. It is not only prudent, but a legal requirement," she said.