The family of Naya Wimps, a 13-year-old wrongfully arrested for a bomb threat against Renaissance Charter School in Pembroke Pines, Florida, is pursuing legal action against the Pembroke Pines Police Department, Renaissance Charter School, and social media platforms Instagram and Facebook.
According to the family’s attorney, Marwan Porter, the seventh grader was framed by a fellow student who had been bullying her.
The bully allegedly created a fake Instagram account to issue threats against the school, leading to Naya’s arrest without proper investigation.
In November 2024, Naya spent two weeks in juvenile detention, where she was reportedly threatened by older detainees. The incident caused significant emotional distress for the young girl, leaving her withdrawn and anxious. Her mother described the family’s anguish during her detention, stating:
“At one point, I wanted her out so bad, I called my lawyer and asked if I could do the time instead.”
Attorney Porter criticized the Pembroke Pines Police Department for what he described as a failure to conduct a thorough investigation before arresting Naya.
“Law enforcement and school officials must ensure proper investigations are conducted before criminalizing children,” he said.
The family’s legal claims will address negligence by the police and the school’s handling of the situation. Additionally, lawsuits are expected to be filed against Instagram and Facebook for failing to detect and prevent misuse of their platforms, which allowed the fake account to frame Naya.
This case raises critical legal issues regarding accountability for wrongful arrests, procedural safeguards for minors, and the responsibilities of social media platforms to monitor harmful activity.
Naya’s experience has sparked public outcry and calls for systemic reform to protect children from similar injustices. Social media users have expressed outrage, with comments emphasizing the need for better investigative protocols and alternatives to juvenile detention for minors.
The family’s legal team is also considering a civil suit against the family of the alleged bully.
“This is not just about justice for Naya—it’s about holding all parties accountable to prevent this from happening again,” Porter stated.
