Police arrest Texas teen who threatened to spread coronavirus

CARROLTON, Texas — Police in Texas arrested an 18-year-old woman who claimed she tested positive for coronavirus and was “willfully spreading it,” authorities said.

>> Coronavirus: Arizona hospital employee accused of stealing personal protective equipment

According to a tweet Sunday by the Carrollton Police Department, Lorraine Maradiaga went on social media and said she tested positive for COVID-19, KTBC reported.

Update 10:08 a.m. EDT April 8: Police in Carrollton, Texas, arrested Lorraine Maradiaga, 18, early Tuesday, KTRK reported. Maradiaga, who claimed she tested positive for coronavirus and filmed a video in which she is seen threatening to spread the disease, was charged with terrorist threat, a third-degree felony, the television station reported.

According to a news release by the Carrollton Police Department, Maradiaga claimed she had tested negative for COVID-19. Police have not obtained proof whether Maradiaga tested positive at all, the news release said.

Police said Maradiaga’s bond was set at $20,000. Under the condition of her bond, Maradiaga was ordered to quarantine for 21 days upon her release, police said.

Original report: Police in Texas are investigating an 18-year-old woman’s claim she tested positive for coronavirus and is “willfully spreading it,” authorities said.

According to a tweet by the Carrollton Police Department, Lorraine Maradiaga went on social media and said she tested positive for COVID-19, KTBC reported.

>> Coronavirus: NJ parents charged with child endangerment after hosting party

Authorities said Maradiaga is facing a charge of terroristic threat for her claims, the television station reported.

>> Coronavirus checklist: 100-plus disinfectants that may kill coronavirus on surfaces

In a follow-up tweet, Carrolltown police said they have not confirmed whether Maradiaga actually has tested positive for the virus.

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

A Snapchat video circulating on social media shows a woman, later identified as Maradiaga, going to what appears to be a drive-thru testing site, KXAS reported. In the video, a nurse tells Maradiaga she needs to go home while awaiting results, the television station reported.

>> Coronavirus symptoms: What you need to know

In a subsequent video, Maradiaga is shown shopping at a store she claims is a Walmart, KXAS reported.

“I’m here at Walmart about to infest every (expletive), because if I’m going down, all you (expletive) are going down,” Maradiaga said.

>> Coronavirus: Know the facts directly from the CDC

Later in the video, Maradiaga is back in her car, coughing in the direction of the camera, KXAS reported.

The video later shows the woman in her car, coughing into the camera.

“If you want to get the coronavirus and (expletive) die, call me,” Maradiaga said. “I’ll meet you up and (cough, cough) and I will shorten your life.”

A Carrollton Police Department spokesman told the television station officers went to Maradiaga’s home Sunday, but she was not there.

>> Coronavirus: Can the government make you stay home if you are sick?

Coronavirus: How to make fabric masks during COVID-19 pandemic Coronavirus: How to make fabric masks during COVID-19 pandemic