PALM COAST, Florida – A 13-year-old girl and her grandmother were arrested following a confrontation at a Palm Coast park that investigators say stemmed from an ongoing dispute between juveniles and escalated into threats, false imprisonment, and theft.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to Ralph Carter Park on May 25 after receiving a report that a juvenile’s cellphone and sweater had been stolen.
Detectives determined the incident originated from a dispute involving a planned fight between juveniles.
Investigators said 13-year-old Milan Pease of Palm Coast attempted to provoke one of the victims into a fight at the park the day before, leading to a brief altercation in which she allegedly pulled the victim’s hair before being separated.
Later that evening, Pease and others reportedly traveled to the victim’s neighborhood, where Pease called and messaged several juveniles, urging them to come outside and fight. Deputies responded to that incident and determined it was a verbal dispute.
According to investigators, the threats continued overnight through phone calls and social media messages. Detectives said Pease repeatedly threatened to kill two of the victims. Authorities also allege that Pease and her grandmother, 64-year-old Allyson Pease-Frankel, warned they would bring a pit bull to the park.
The following afternoon, five juveniles went to Ralph Carter Park, where the threats allegedly continued.
Detectives determined that a group of adults and juveniles arrived at the park in three vehicles, including one carrying a pit bull. As the group approached, the victims ran into a public restroom and locked the door.
Investigators said Pease-Frankel took possession of the dog and walked directly toward the restroom, dropping the leash as she approached. The victims remained locked inside while Pease-Frankel allegedly pushed against the restroom door and Pease repeatedly kicked it.
Authorities said the juveniles remained trapped inside for several minutes until the group left the area.
While the victims sheltered inside the restroom, detectives say Pease took a cellphone, clothing, and other personal property left behind on a nearby picnic table. Investigators determined the items were later thrown into a retention pond behind the restroom.
Based on the value of the cellphone, deputies charged Pease with felony grand theft.
After consulting with the Office of the State Attorney, detectives obtained arrest warrants for Pease-Frankel on a charge of false imprisonment and for Pease on two counts of written threats to kill.
“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 Rick Staly. “Rather than deescalate this situation, Grandma chose to run backup for this teen’s poor decisions and now she has earned herself a trip to the Green Roof Inn as well.”
Pease-Frankel was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and is being held on a $5,000 bond. Pease was processed and transferred to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
The investigation remains ongoing.