MIAMI – A 21-year-old woman was arrested at Miami International Airport early Tuesday morning after allegedly claiming she had a bomb in her carry-on luggage and instructing women and children to evacuate while telling men to stay behind, authorities confirmed.
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The incident unfolded just before 6 a.m. at the JetBlue ticket counters of the airport when the woman — identified by Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies as Aliyah Evans, of Islamorada — was heard by multiple witnesses claiming she had a bomb.
Detectives wrote in an arrest report that Evans was allegedly holding her cellphone, which displayed what appeared to be a “clock timer,” as she said, " I need children and women to leave and for men to stay."
Deputies said she dropped her carry-on bag near the counters and attempted to bypass passengers while heading toward Checkpoint E.
Customs and Border Protection agents quickly responded and detained Evans, who was identified by witnesses, according to investigators. A K-9 team and bomb squad cleared her luggage, and no explosives were found, the report stated.
Authorities said the incident caused temporary chaos at the terminal.
They said Evans knocked over lane dividers and created a disturbance that frightened passengers and airport staff, prompting delays while the area was secured.
Jail records show Evans is facing one count each of making a false report about planting a bomb or explosive and disorderly conduct/breach of the peace.
She was taken to an MDSO station for processing but invoked her right to remain silent and was not interviewed, deputies said.
As of Tuesday, Evans is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where her bond was listed as “to be set.”
