VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A 12-year-old boy was arrested over a “door-kicking challenge” in Deltona over the weekend, though new footage shows a Volusia County deputy having a heartfelt exchange with him, according to the sheriff’s office.
In a release, sheriff’s office officials said that the incident originally happened in Deltona over the weekend, though the child was ultimately arrested on Tuesday.
“(He) told detectives he did it because he was bored,” the release reads. “Despite multiple warnings, we continue to see this dangerous trend in our community. In fact, detectives are working to identify three individuals who were out doing this in Deltona last night in a separate case.”
[RELATED: Deputies on the hunt for minors behind Deltona ‘door-kicking challenge’]
Released body-camera footage shows the child in the back of the patrol car, though a school resource deputy is heard speaking with him.
“Listen, you’re not a bad kid, bro. You just stop hanging out with people you’ve been hanging out with,” the deputy says. “Listen to mom. Listen to dad.”
The deputy is also heard telling the child that the arrest is “just a minor stepping stone,” assuring the 12-year-old, “You’ll be alright; I promise you.”
The two talk a little longer, before the boy claims, “I hate myself.”
“Ah, don’t hate yourself. You’ll be alright, buddy...” the deputy responds. “Listen, I promise you, you’re still gonna be able to become a cop.”
“You promise?” the boy asks.
“I promise,” the deputy says again.
[RELATED: Teen to be arrested after Deltona dog killed in viral door kick-in challenge]
Meanwhile, the sheriff’s office urged parents to speak with their children about the dangers of the so-called “door-kicking challenge,” warning that it could lead to a felony charge or even get someone killed.
“It’s a matter of time before one of these kids gets shot,” the sheriff’s office noted. “Florida residents will exercise their right to defend their home. You can recover from a lot of young, dumb mistakes, but a bullet to the chest might be a consequence you can’t overcome.”