Flagler County, Florida — A Florida mother is facing criminal charges after police say she allegedly encouraged her 9-year-old daughter to steal merchandise from a Target store while simultaneously taking other items through self-checkout without paying.
According to an arrest affidavit, the unusual shoplifting incident was reported after Target’s asset protection staff spotted the woman and child allegedly concealing merchandise and leaving the store.
Police Say Daughter Used Pink Backpack to Hide Merchandise
Authorities responded to the Target after employees reported that a woman and a child had concealed merchandise and had just exited the store.
Police contacted Lisa Debenedictis, 48, and her daughter outside the business and reviewed surveillance footage from inside the store.
Investigators allege the footage showed the young girl placing merchandise into a pink backpack while her mother was nearby. The affidavit states that the child initially obtained merchandise while Debenedictis was inside a bathroom.
When the mother returned, police allege she picked up a package of Lysol wipes from the shopping cart and placed it inside her daughter’s backpack, allegedly with the child’s knowledge.
The pair then continued shopping throughout the store.
Girl Allegedly Stole Earrings, Candy and Lysol
According to investigators, the merchandise allegedly concealed by the child had a combined value of approximately $25.97.
Among the items police say the girl took were 14K gold-plated earrings valued at $19.99, Gumi Yum candy valued at $2.99, and Lysol spray valued at $2.99.
The affidavit alleges the child was not simply acting independently.
Police concluded that Debenedictis encouraged and assisted her daughter in concealing unpaid merchandise, allegedly with the intention of depriving Target of the items.
The allegations form the basis of one of the charges against the mother.
Mother Allegedly Skipped Items at Self-Checkout
While her daughter allegedly used the backpack, police say Debenedictis carried out a separate portion of the alleged shoplifting scheme.
After walking through the store selecting various merchandise and produce, the pair reportedly went to a self-checkout station.
According to the affidavit, Debenedictis intentionally failed to scan numerous items before placing them into a grocery bag. Police also allege that additional merchandise remained inside the shopping cart without being scanned.
The value of the merchandise Debenedictis allegedly took without paying was approximately $47.27.
Items Allegedly Taken Included Coca-Cola and Self-Tanner
The items attributed to Debenedictis included a wide assortment of everyday products.
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Police say the merchandise included organic sugar, Coca-Cola, bagels, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, feminine wipes, an EcoTools blending brush and Bodi Sands self-tanning drops.
The alleged theft also involved acrylic paint, colorful stickers and card packs.
The combination of items reportedly caught the attention of Target’s asset protection team, who notified law enforcement after the pair left the store.
Mother Faces Two Criminal Charges
Debenedictis is now charged with petit theft and contributing to the delinquency of a child, according to court records.
Investigators say the child’s alleged actions amounted to shoplifting, while the mother allegedly contributed to the situation by helping her daughter conceal merchandise and failing to pay for items herself.
The case centers not only on the alleged value of the stolen merchandise but also on the accusation that the mother involved her young daughter in the theft.
Debenedictis is scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 1, when the allegations against her will move forward in court.
The accusations have not been proven, and she remains presumed innocent unless and until she is convicted.
What do you think about the allegations in this case? Should parents face additional consequences when they are accused of involving their children in shoplifting? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
