SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A judge has denied bond for two teenage students accused of plotting to kill a classmate at Lake Brantley High School, according to court records and local law enforcement officials.
The two girls, 15-year-old Isabelle Valdez and 14-year-old Lois Lippert, were arrested after authorities say they planned to attack a specific student on campus. Both face charges of attempted first-degree murder and possession of a weapon on school property.
Investigators with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office say the alleged plot involved bringing a knife to school and luring the intended victim into a bathroom where the attack would take place.
Officials say the plan was uncovered after a tip was submitted through Florida’s FortifyFL school safety reporting system, which allows students and community members to anonymously report potential threats.
School administrators and deputies responded to the tip and launched an investigation that ultimately led to the arrests. Authorities said they recovered a knife and other items believed to be connected to the alleged plan.
During a court hearing, prosecutors argued the suspects should remain in custody because they pose a danger to the community. The judge agreed, denying bond for both teens.
Prosecutors also referenced video recorded inside a patrol car after the arrests. According to investigators, the two girls were heard laughing and discussing the situation while being transported to jail.
Officials said the footage raised additional concerns about the seriousness of the alleged plan and the defendants’ attitudes toward the situation.
Court documents also state that one of the teens had expressed an obsession with the perpetrator of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
Investigators claim the suspect believed the planned attack would somehow create a connection through the victim’s blood, though authorities have not provided further details about those statements.
Both teens have entered not guilty pleas through their legal representatives.
Lake Brantley High School remained open following the incident, though school officials said additional safety measures were put in place and counselors were made available for students and staff.
The case remains under investigation, and additional court hearings are scheduled in the coming weeks.
Authorities are urging students and parents to continue reporting threats through school safety systems, emphasizing that the anonymous tip that triggered the investigation may have prevented a serious act of violence.
Anyone with additional information related to the case is encouraged to contact the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.
Footage Obtained by ClickOrlando l Orlando