Texas Teen Charged After Threatening to Shoot Judge During Heated Truancy Hearing
WACO, TEXAS — A 19-year-old Texas woman is facing a felony charge after allegedly threatening to shoot a justice of the peace during a chaotic truancy hearing that escalated into shouting, broken gavels, and a courtroom removal.
Disturbance Breaks Out During Routine Truancy Review
The incident occurred Thursday inside the Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace Court during a hearing involving Daisy Hernandez and her family. Judge LucyAnn Sanchez-Miramontez questioned the family about why the children were not attending school — a standard component of truancy proceedings.
But the tone shifted when one of Hernandez’s younger brothers began smiling and laughing, catching the judge’s attention. When he continued despite warnings, the judge informed the family she could jail their mother for six days for violating a truancy-related court order.
That announcement triggered an immediate response from Hernandez, who reportedly yelled:
“You can’t do that.”
The judge replied:
“Yes, I can.”
Judge Breaks Her Gavel as Tensions Escalate
According to an arrest affidavit, Hernandez continued arguing as tensions rose. Judge Sanchez-Miramontez attempted to regain control, pounding her gavel so forcefully that she broke it — but the shouting continued.
Deputies eventually escorted the entire family out of the courtroom.
Alleged Threat: “I’m gonna shoot this b—”
As the family was being removed, Hernandez allegedly turned toward the judge and said:
“I’m gonna shoot this b—.”
The judge immediately asked deputies, “Did she say that?”, as multiple courtroom witnesses later confirmed the statement to investigators.
Outside the courtroom, a deputy constable asked Hernandez why she made the threat. According to the affidavit, she replied:
“I don’t know. I was mad.”
Mother Later Returns With School Attendance Proof
Despite the explosive scene, the judge says the underlying truancy matter was resolved the next day. Hernandez’s mother returned to court with verification showing her children were attending school.
Judge Sanchez-Miramontez said she offers families every resource available to comply with orders, emphasizing that the goal is education, not punishment.
Arrest and Current Case Status
Hernandez was charged with terroristic threat against a public servant, a felony under Texas law. She was initially booked on a $5,000 bond, but the charges had not yet appeared on the McLennan County docket as of the latest report, and she no longer appears in county jail records.
No injuries were reported during the courtroom outburst, and no weapon was ever displayed.
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