A community responds to a Turquoise Alert, emphasizing collective vigilance.
Arizona has issued its first-ever Turquoise Alert for a missing child, 6-year-old Violet Coultas, who was reported missing after last being seen at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. The alert was activated when authorities believed she was in danger while with her non-custodial mother, Sarah Coultas. Fortunately, Violet was found safe at a women’s shelter, leading to the cancellation of the alert. The Turquoise Alert system, designed to assist in locating vulnerable individuals, shows promising results in protecting children in suspicious circumstances.
A Turquoise Alert issued for 6-year-old Violet Coultas from Hawaii was successfully canceled after she was found safe in Cottonwood, Arizona. This marked Arizona’s first-ever Turquoise Alert, a system designed to assist law enforcement in locating vulnerable individuals who are missing under suspicious or unexplained circumstances.
Violet was last seen at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport on July 12 at approximately 10 p.m., accompanying her non-custodial mother, Sarah Coultas, 48. Sarah was a person of interest in a custodial interference investigation and had fled Hawaii against a court order. The situation escalated when Hawaii Island police reported the mother and daughter as missing on July 19, after learning they might be in the Phoenix area.
The Turquoise Alert was initiated on July 23, due to communication between the FBI and the Cottonwood Police Department, alerting law enforcement that the pair might be in their jurisdiction. Cottonwood police successfully located Violet and Sarah at a women’s shelter around 1 a.m. on July 24. Authorities took Sarah Coultas into custody on an outstanding arrest warrant, while Violet was safely placed in the care of the Arizona Department of Child Safety.
The Turquoise Alert was officially canceled at the request of the Hawaii Police Department on Thursday morning, following confirmation that Violet was safe and secure. The effective response and recovery showcase the capabilities of the new alert system, which aims to protect vulnerable populations.
Governor Katie Hobbs signed legislation to create the Turquoise Alert system in May 2025, following concerns raised by the case of a missing San Carlos Apache teen, Emily Pike. The criteria for activating a Turquoise Alert includes individuals under the age of 65 who are missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances, with a belief that they are in danger or possibly with someone who poses a threat. This contrasts with Amber Alerts, which specifically require evidence of abduction.
The safe recovery of Violet Coultas emphasizes the importance of community vigilance and cooperation among law enforcement agencies. The successful activation of Arizona’s first Turquoise Alert signifies a progressive step in protecting children and vulnerable individuals within the state. Authorities are hopeful that the new alert system will enhance their ability to respond to similar situations in the future.
News Summary Arizona's real estate market is experiencing a notable shift as home prices decline…
News Summary Christina Marie Chapman, 50, has been sentenced to 102 months for orchestrating a…
News Summary Christina Marie Chapman, 44, was sentenced to 102 months in federal prison for…
News Summary The Arizona Republic will cease its printing operations in Phoenix and move to…
News Summary China Airlines will commence direct flights connecting Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with…
News Summary The Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family has allocated $4.76 million in…