Two Florida preteens are accused of causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage to an elementary school after allegedly breaking in twice over the weekend, only to be handed over to deputies by their own mothers.
Preteens turned into cops my their moms
The suspects, just 12 and 13 years old, now face felony charges after Volusia County deputies say they ransacked the media center at Friendship Elementary School in Deltona.
According to the sheriff’s office, the destruction added up to no less than $50,000 in damages.
Deputies responded over the weekend after a fire alarm went off at the school.
When they arrived, they discovered a shattered glass door and a heavily vandalized media center.
A Monday statement from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) revealed just how much chaos the two preteens left behind.
Body camera footage showed the aftermath, with cabinets thrown open, marker scribbles on the walls, and furniture tossed across the room.
The VCSO also shared photos of the suspects and an update noting that their own mothers turned them in.
Authorities said the duo broke in during the daytime hours because they were “bored” and then returned again that night to wreak more havoc. Surveillance cameras captured their destructive break-in, according to officials.
Along with burglary and criminal mischief, the teens are also facing charges of trespassing on school property and theft, the sheriff’s office stated.
Preteens identified through video footage
After the sheriff’s office posted video footage, tips from the community began pouring in.
By Monday, September 15, deputies confirmed they had found the boys responsible for trashing the school.
“The subjects responsible for the vandalism of Friendship Elementary have been identified,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
“After the video posted, we received lots of emails identifying them (thank you all!), as well as contacts from each of the defendants’ mothers.”
The statement confirmed that the suspects’ parents had turned their children over to authorities.
“The boys confessed to the incident, which caused at least $50,000 in damage to the media center,” the agency reported.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood described how quickly the community response identified the suspects.
“Once we post on social media, it blows up — I don’t know how many tips come in telling us who these two little cherubs are and the mothers of both the little cherubs call us,” Chitwood told Click Orlando.
“I’ve got to give the moms credit. They called us, they didn’t tell the kids we were coming, and when they were questioned, they confessed to what they did,” Chitwood continued.
CASE UPDATE: Their moms turned them in.
The subjects responsible for the vandalism of Friendship Elementary have been identified as 12-year-old Felix Cohen Romero and 13-year-old Bentley Ryan Wehrly.
After the video was posted, Det. Bartzer received lots of emails identifying… pic.twitter.com/c1UMfhkUqv
— Volusia Sheriff (@VolusiaSheriff) September 15, 2025
“One of them then went up to the bedroom and got out some items that were stolen from the school – a radio and some digital cameras – and turned them over to us.”
Authorities have not indicated whether the parents who turned their preteens in could face financial consequences for the enormous damage caused.
A similar case overseas, however, showed how parents can be dragged into their kids’ misbehavior.
Parents on the hook for kid’s disgusting shenanigans
In Shanghai, two 17-year-olds were ordered by a court to apologize and pay more than $300,000 in damages after filming themselves urinating into hotpot broth at a Haidilao restaurant.
According to Chinese state media, the teens took turns standing on a table and relieving themselves into the broth before posting the clip online despite knowing the potential fallout.
The incident sparked outrage, and Haidilao apologized to customers, promising that all utensils had been replaced.
The company refunded more than 4,000 affected orders and provided each customer with compensation worth ten times the original bill.
While catering companies linked to the restaurant sued for $3 million, the court ruled that only part of the demand was valid.
Still, the teenagers and their parents were held liable for damages and ordered to issue public apologies.
Back in Florida, the Friendship Elementary vandalism case is not the first time parents have turned their children over to police after embarrassing crimes.
Parents turn in their criminal kids
In July, two boys in Bradenton were accused of vandalizing a men’s restroom at the Riverwalk volleyball court.
Their parents, described by officers as “very angry and embarrassed,” contacted authorities within an hour of their photos being shared online.
The Bradenton Police Department said graffiti, obscene drawings, and additional damage to nearby skate park pillars were linked to the suspects. Charges of criminal mischief were announced.
In April, three preteens who allegedly attacked a retired NYPD lieutenant in Manhattan’s Upper East Side were brought into custody by their families after surveillance images were made public.
Two 13-year-olds and 14-year-old, were charged with second-degree gang assault and assault after allegedly striking the 65-year-old victim with a backpack and their fists.
“They were looking for trouble harassing everyone they saw,” the elderly victim told reporters.
“When they started to bother the cab driver, I went over and told them to leave him alone. That’s when one coward hit me from behind with a backpack.”
