Mom Charged With Child Neglect After 14-Year-Old Daughter's Arrest Over 'Kill List' On Phone

A 14-year-old girl from Florida was arrested Thursday for keeping a "kill list" of fellow students on her phone. A search that ensued led to the arrest of the teenager's mother after investigators found their house in deplorable conditions with drug paraphernalia.

Amber Manns, 14, a West gate K-8 student, was arrested after the school facility reported to the cops about a "kill list" she kept on her phone that had names of eight juveniles. Manns was charged with eight felony counts of written threats to kill, St.Lucie County Sheriff's office (SLCSO) said in a news release Thursday.

Following the girl's arrest, the cops conducted a routine check for weapons at her home and discovered the house in deplorable living conditions. "Cocaine and drug paraphernalia were also in plain view," the news release said. Mann's mother, 40-year-old Brooke Lynne Hinkle, was then arrested on charges of child neglect.

"We are committed to providing a safe learning environment for our children and continue to work diligently with St. Lucie Public Schools to do so," SLCSO Chief Deputy Brian Hester. "It is also imperative for parents to provide a safe home environment for their children and to talk to their children about the dangers of written and verbal threats in school settings as well as the consequences of their actions," Hester added.

The investigators have not revealed the motive behind the "kill list." Meanwhile, the school officials confirmed that the names mentioned in the list are students attending the school. "We continue to have positive working relationships with the Sheriff’s Department and both have the same goal in mind of keeping students and staff safe,” St. Lucie Public Schools told WPTV.

The teen girl was taken to the Department of Juvenile Justice, while her mother is currently held on a $6,250 bond at the St. Lucie County Jail, police said.

It is, however, not clear if the teenager has been charged as a juvenile or an adult in the case. If convicted, Hinkle would face five years in prison on each count of child neglect and possession of cocaine.