A Florida mother allegedly weaponized her own child in a shoplifting scheme at a Target store, forcing her 9-year-old daughter to steal Lysol spray, earrings and candy inside a pink backpack while the mother herself walked out with self-tanner, Coca-Cola and other unpaid merchandise.
Background
Lisa Debenedictis, 48, brought her young daughter into the Target located in Flagler County on what police say was meant to be a coordinated theft. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, asset protection staff at the retail store reported observing a woman and child concealing merchandise before they exited the establishment.
When authorities responded and made contact with Debenedictis and her daughter outside the store, investigators reviewed surveillance footage that allegedly captured both subjects stealing items while inside the Target. The child was seen taking approximately $25.97 worth of merchandise using a pink backpack as her vehicle for theft.
"While Lisa was inside the bathroom, [the child] obtained merchandise and placed it into a pink backpack," the affidavit states. "Lisa returned … and grabbed a package of Lysol wipes from the shopping cart and placed the item into [the child's] backpack with her knowledge."
The Charges
Debenedictis is charged with petit theft and contributing to the delinquency of a child in connection with the alleged scheme, according to court records. While her daughter allegedly stole $25.97 worth of merchandise through the pink backpack, investigators determined that Debenedictis herself evaded payment for approximately $47.27 in goods.
The items police say the child took included "14K Gold Plated Earrings" valued at $19.99, "Gumi Yum" candy valued at $2.99, and "Lysol Spray" valued at $2.99. The merchandise allegedly stolen by Debenedictis included organic sugar, Coca-Cola, bagels, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, feminine wipes, an EcoTools blending brush, "Bodi Sands Self Tanning Drops," acrylic paint, colorful stickers and card packs.
Investigators allege that after selecting various items of merchandise and produce, the pair proceeded to a self-checkout line where Debenedictis allegedly "purposely did not scan numerous items and placed them into a grocery bag."
"Additionally, Lisa purposely failed to scan merchandise that was left inside the grocery cart and did not attempt to scan the items," according to police documents.
Key Takeaways
- Lisa Debenedictis, 48, is charged with petit theft and contributing to the delinquency of a child in Flagler County, Florida
- Police say she allegedly forced her 9-year-old daughter to steal merchandise valued at $25.97 using a pink backpack
- The child's alleged loot included earrings worth nearly $20, candy and Lysol spray
- Debenedictis herself is accused of stealing approximately $47.27 in merchandise through self-checkout evasion
- Items she allegedly took include self-tanning drops, Coca-Cola, bagels and various household items
What's Next
Debenedictis is scheduled to be arraigned on September 1st on the charges of petit theft and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The Flagler County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the full scope of the alleged shoplifting operation.