VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – One of two dog owners charged in connection with the death of an 8-year-old boy who was fatally mauled while riding his bike earlier this year will appear in court Monday for a pre-trial hearing.
Amanda Franco faces a misdemeanor charge under the Dangerous Dogs Act for an “attack or bite by unclassified dog that causes severe injury or death.” Franco also faces an evidence tampering charge. She previously entered a not-guilty plea.
[VIDEO: Pre-trial hearing set for owner of dog that killed 8-year-old in DeLand]
Franco and her roommate, Brandy Hodil, are accused of deleting social media posts the day after two dogs from their residence attacked and killed Michael Millett near DeLand. Both women face felony charges for tampering with evidence.
[WATCH BELOW: Owner of dog that killed 8-year-old in DeLand attack faces misdemeanor charge]
According to Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood, the deleted messages revealed a history of problems with the dogs in the neighborhood before the fatal attack.
“She knew when those dogs killed Michael, she knew if the cops got ahold of those messages that her a-- was grass,” Chitwood said.
[WATCH BELOW: New charges for both owners of dogs that mauled boy to death in DeLand]
The sheriff indicated that neighborhood residents were aware of previous issues with the dogs but hesitated to report problems due to personal connections within the community.
“There’s a lot of people in the neighborhood that knew what was going on... but because everybody had some kind of connection, they didn’t want to see anybody get in trouble or be considered a snitch,” Chitwood explained.
Both dogs involved in the attack were subsequently euthanized. Franco faces a second-degree misdemeanor under the Dangerous Dogs Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail.
Millett’s family is expected to attend Monday’s hearing at 1:30 p.m.
Hodil, who was previously arraigned, also faces charges in the case.