Coronavirus Texas News: Teen Brags On Social Media About 'Willfully Spreading' COVID-19, Search Underway

A teenager, who threatened to spread coronavirus, will be charged with terroristic threat, Texas police said Sunday.

The teen, identified as 18-year-old Lorraine Maradiaga, took to social media to claim that she tested positive for coronavirus and she would “willfully spread it.” In a Facebook statement Sunday, Carrollton Texas Police Department said they were looking for the teen.

“We have identified the woman seen on social media claiming to be COVID-19 positive and willfully spreading it as 18-year-old Lorraine Maradiaga of Carrollton. We are charging her with Terroristic Threat, Texas Penal Code 22.07,” the statement said.

Confirming that they were yet to locate the girl, police said they were seeking public help to find her.

‘We have not located her yet. If you know where she is, call (972) 466-3333 or email CrimeTips@CityofCarrollton.com,” police said in the statement.

The statement also added that the police had “no confirmation Maradiaga is actually a threat to public health.”

“We are, however, taking her social media actions very seriously,” police said.

Several people took to Facebook to thank Carrollton Texas Police Department for immediate action.

“Thank you for taking appropriate action on this Carrollton PD! Hope she is apprehended soon. Y’all be safe out there,” a user wrote.

“Thank you Carrollton PD please catch her soon and lock her up and throw away the key. We don't need people that think like her not caring about anyone,” wrote another user.

In a similar incident last month, a North Carolina man live streamed himself walking inside a Walmart store saying he had coronavirus. The man, identified as 31-year-old Justin Rhodes, walked through the store saying he tested positive for the deadly virus. He added that his “throat is a little itchy, but other than that I’m not coughing, I feel great.” He also said he was "asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.” The video soon went viral on social media following which he was taken into custody. Rhodes was charged for "perpetrating a hoax in a public building" and for "disorderly conduct."