Florida family tormented by constant swatting calls; woman arrested: report

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A South Florida family is speaking out after the woman who allegedly tormented them with more than a dozen swatting calls was arrested, according to NBC affiliate WTVJ.

Debrina Council is accused of calling 911 nearly two dozen times in the past year to report shootings, people getting killed, and dead bodies at a home in South Miami.

Julie Miller and her family live at the home. Miller told WTVJ that police have been called to their residence at least 11 times since last October.

“We came home, and the SWAT team was in our yard, and we were quite surprised,” Miller told WTVJ. “Definitely not a good feeling, definitely scary and unknown and wrapping our brain around, who is this, how are we connected to this, what is it we’ve done or said to somebody?”

Authorities said Council claimed she witnessed the alleged crimes take place and “provided detailed information about the supposed threat.”

Each time, patrol units equipped and trained for “high-risk situations” responded to the family’s home and would set up a perimeter to contain any potential threats but determined no one was in any danger.

Police said the latest call came last week.

“We’d get these calls and police knocking at our door and just kind of started expecting OK, they called again,” Miller told WTVJ. “We have our hands up, nobody’s here, we’re not armed — in the back of your mind, you don’t want any mishap, right?”

Council was arrested on Tuesday and made her first appearance in court Wednesday. She reportedly told police that she was “hearing voices that told her the information was real.”

Miller told WTVJ she doesn’t know Council and doesn’t understand why the woman would target her home but is thankful to finally have answers.

“Pray the Lord protects us and we know that in the end nothing’s in our control and we have to rely on Him and He saw us through it,” she said. “It’s so strange, it’s so weird, but in the end, it strengthens us. In the end, it strengthens our faith.”

According to WTVJ, Council was given a bond. If she gets out, she can’t call 911 to make any false reports. She will also go to the county’s Alternative Program. Her arraignment is set for March 1.

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