PALM COAST, Fla – The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 13-year-old girl and her grandmother following an investigation into an incident at Ralph Carter Park that began as a reported theft and escalated into charges of false imprisonment and written threats to kill, according to a news release.
According to FCSO release, the conflict began May 24, when the teen, 13, of Palm Coast, attempted to provoke a fight at the park, pulling a victim’s hair before the two were separated.
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That night, the teen suspect drove to the victim’s neighborhood and sent threatening messages demanding a fight. The threats continued into the early morning hours, with the teen threatening to kill two victims and warning — along with her grandmother, Allyson Pease-Frankel, 64 — that they would bring a pit bull to the park.
FCSO says the following afternoon, five juveniles arrived at the park where the teen suspect continued to threaten to fight them and bring a pit bull.
According to police, a group of adults and juveniles then arrived at Ralph Carter Park in three vehicles, one carrying the dog. As the group advanced, the five victims ran into a public restroom and locked the door.
Pease-Frankel walked directly toward the restroom with the dog, dropping the leash at the door, while the teen kicked the door repeatedly. The victims remained trapped for several minutes until the group left.
Authorities said the teen suspect also stole a cellphone, clothing and other items left behind when the victims fled, later discarding them in a nearby retention pond. Based on the value of the cellphone, she was charged with felony grand theft.
“It is not uncommon for teens to have disagreements with one another, but violence is never the answer and can lead to lifelong consequences.” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Parents and grandparents, act like adults and teach your children and grandchildren the proper and legal way to handle disagreements by modeling the correct behavior.”
Pease-Frankel was charged with false imprisonment and is being held at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility on a $5,000 bond.
The teen was charged with two counts of written threats to kill and felony grand theft, and was transferred to the Department of Juvenile Justice. The case remains active and ongoing.