Dad Turns In Teen Daughter Plotting Mass Shooting To Police; What Warning Signs Did The Parents See?

A dad decided to turn in his 18-year-old daughter to the police after discovering her disturbing diary. Written in the journal's pages was Nichole Cevario's detailed plans to carry out a mass shooting at Catoctin High School in Maryland on April 5. She also intended to die during her attack.

Police arrested Cevario Thursday, thanks to her father coming forward to authorities. They also found evidence of explosive materials and weaponry after police inspected the Cevario residence.

The teenager will be charged with "possession of explosive materials with the intent to create a destructive device" and "possession of incendiary material with the intent to create a destructive device," as per Frederick News Post. Cevario will also undergo a mental evaluation and she will be detained in jail once released at the hospital. The authorities have her warrant of arrest.

Police commended Cevario's parents for turning in their daughter. "There is no doubt in our minds that we averted a disaster up there," Charles Jenkins from the Frederick County Sheriff's Office said, as per CBS News.

This could have been really bad. Great job by police! https://t.co/ukKFNL1Idh

— Blue Lives Matter (@bluelivesmtr) March 28, 2017

It's unclear what the circumstances were for Cevario's mom and dad to notice something was off with their daughter. Experts Brian D. Johnson, Ph.D. and Laurie Berdahl, M.D. enumerated some of the possible warning signs, as per Psychology Today.

A teenager might need to seek professional help if he or she displayed substance abuse problems, violent behavior, persistent anger and depression. School bullying should also be a red flag, as well as significant changes in behavior, mood or social circles.

Friends of Cevario, however, said they were not aware of any incident she was bullied in school. "I knew something was up with her but I would have never imagined that it was this bad," one friend told CBS.

Police said her diary spoke of a person with "serious emotional issues." They said there was no evidence to suggest she worked with someone else. If convicted, Cevario could spend a lengthy time in prison.