Two Florida boys charged after allegedly trashing elementary school media room, causing $50,000 in damage
Ages 12 and 13 were identified after deputies released photos and the boys' mothers turned them in, the Volusia Sheriff's Office said
Two boys, ages 12 and 13, were arrested after deputies said they vandalized the media center at Friendship Elementary School in Deltona, Florida, causing about $50,000 in damage.
The Volusia County Sheriff's Office said deputies were called to the school late Sunday after a fire alarm went off and discovered a room with overturned furniture, destroyed televisions and scattered broken appliances. Investigators said the two boys later confessed when confronted and were identified after the sheriff's office released images of masked suspects and members of the public and family provided tips.
Volusia sheriff's deputies said the boys, identified as Felix Cohen Romero, 12, and Bentley Ryan Wehrly, 13, allegedly returned to the school late Sunday night to look at the damage and set off fire alarms as they continued to damage the room. Body camera footage released by the sheriff's office showed smashed glass, destroyed electronics and widespread vandalism throughout the media room.
Each boy was charged with two counts of burglary, two counts of trespassing on school grounds, criminal mischief and theft, according to the sheriff's office. The agency thanked the public and the boys' mothers for turning them in and said it had received numerous emails identifying the suspects after releasing the surveillance images.
One of the mothers, identified in social media as Corey Romero, posted about parenting challenges on her public profile. The sheriff's office said the mothers brought the boys to authorities after the images were circulated and inquiries were made.
Investigators did not detail whether classes were disrupted or whether the school would close for repairs. School officials were not named in sheriff's office releases accompanying the initial report. The sheriff's office said the estimate of roughly $50,000 reflects the cost to repair and replace damaged furniture, electronics and fixtures in the media room.
The arrests underscore concerns about vandalism and safety in school facilities. Deputies said the two juveniles were taken into custody following the mothers' notifications and the boys' admissions of responsibility. Further information about court dates, potential juvenile-court proceedings or additional charges was not provided in the sheriff's office statements released with the images and body camera footage.
The investigation remains with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, which encouraged anyone with additional information to come forward. No further comment was included in the initial public statement beyond expressions of gratitude for community assistance in identifying the suspects.