The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A Florida grandmother was accused of helping trap five juveniles inside a public restroom during an ongoing dispute that allegedly began with a fight involving her granddaughter.
According to the authorities, the conflict started on May 24 at a park in Palm Coast after the 13-year-old girl allegedly attempted to provoke another juvenile into a physical confrontation. A brief fight reportedly followed, and the girl was accused of pulling another child’s hair before the situation was broken up.
Later that evening, the authorities responded to a neighborhood dispute involving the same group. Investigators determined the incident was verbal in nature, and those involved left the area, but the conflict did not end there.
The authorities alleged that throughout the night and into the early morning hours of May 25, the teenager continued contacting several juveniles through phone calls and social media messages. She allegedly demanded fights and threatened to kill two of the alleged victims. Investigators also alleged that she and her grandmother warned they would bring a pit bull to the park.
The situation escalated later that afternoon when five juveniles walked to the park. According to investigators, the teenager continued making threats, and a group of adults and juveniles soon arrived in three vehicles. One vehicle reportedly carried a pit bull.
The authorities said the five juveniles ran into a public restroom and locked the door as the group approached. Investigators alleged that the grandmother took control of the dog and walked directly to the restroom. She allegedly pushed against the door with enough force to cause it to bend, while the teenager allegedly kicked it several times. The alleged victims remained inside for several minutes and called for help before the group eventually left. Officials said the dog never entered the restroom.
During the incident, the teenager allegedly took a cellphone, clothing, and other belongings that had been left behind when the juveniles fled. Detectives later recovered the discarded items near the restroom.
The grandmother was later arrested on a false imprisonment charge and posted a $5,000 bond. The teenager was arrested on charges including grand theft and two counts of written threats to kill before being transferred to the Department of Juvenile Justice.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.