Two young boys were turned in by their mothers on Monday after allegedly causing extensive damage to a Volusia County elementary school, authorities said.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the 12- and 13-year-old boys broke into Friendship Elementary School in Deltona twice on Saturday—once during the day and again at night—leaving behind approximately $50,000 in damage. Deltona is located about 30 miles north of Orlando.
Surveillance footage shared by the sheriff’s office showed the aftermath of the vandalism: a shattered glass door, overturned furniture, torn-up books, and graffiti throughout the school’s media center, the Associated Press reported.
In response to the incident, Deltona Mayor Santiago called the destruction “unacceptable and inexcusable” in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter. “This kind of garbage will not be tolerated in our city,” he said, expressing full support for Sheriff Mike Chitwood.
The sheriff’s office confirmed in a Facebook post that the boys admitted to the vandalism. They now face charges including burglary, trespassing, criminal mischief, and theft.