Florida Mother Arrested for Forcing 9-Year-Old Daughter to Steal at Target

A mother from Flagler County, Florida, has been arrested and charged with petit theft and contributing to the delinquency of a child after allegedly forcing her nine-year-old daughter to steal merchandise from a local Target store. Lisa Debenedictis, 48, was caught on surveillance footage engaging in a coordinated scheme that involved both herself and her young daughter.

According to an arrest affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime, police were alerted when asset protection staff at the Flagler County Target reported suspicious behavior involving a woman and child who appeared to be concealing items without paying. Upon arrival, officers observed Debenedictis and her daughter outside the store and later reviewed footage that revealed their alleged criminal activities inside.

The surveillance video showed the mother and daughter walking around the store together, selecting various items for theft. The girl was seen placing merchandise such as Lysol wipes, earrings, and candy into a pink backpack. Meanwhile, Debenedictis allegedly stole additional items like Coca-Cola, self-tanner, and other goods by not scanning them through the self-checkout line.

The affidavit details how Debenedictis instructed her daughter to conceal unpaid merchandise in the backpack while she herself bypassed scanning certain items at checkout. The total value of stolen goods from both the mother and child amounted to approximately $73.24, with the girl’s portion totaling around $25.97.

Items allegedly taken by the young girl included a set of 14K gold-plated earrings worth $19.99, "Gumi Yum" candy valued at $2.99, and Lysol spray priced at $2.99. Debenedictis’s stolen items included organic sugar, bagels, Philadelphia cream cheese, feminine wipes, an EcoTools blending brush, self-tanning drops, acrylic paint, colorful stickers, and card packs.

Police concluded that Debenedictis not only participated in the theft but also encouraged her daughter to engage in illegal activities. The affidavit states that by assisting her child in concealing unpaid merchandise and failing to pay for items at points of sale, Debenedictis contributed significantly to her daughter’s delinquency.

Debenedictis is scheduled to appear before a judge on September 1st for arraignment regarding these charges. This case highlights the broader issue of parental responsibility and the potential legal consequences when adults involve children in criminal activities.