Florida moms praised for turning in sons who caused $50,000 school damage
Two young boys vandalized a Florida school, but it was their own moms who turned them in—earning praise for showing tough love in a difficult moment.
In Deltona, Florida, a shocking incident unfolded when two boys—just 12 and 13 years old—broke into Friendship Elementary School and caused more than $50,000 in damage to the school’s library. According to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, the boys first entered the school on September 13 during the day, then returned that night to carry out a destructive spree.
Inside the library, they threw books across the floor, broke furniture, wrote graffiti, and even triggered the fire alarm when they came back again to admire the damage. Deputies who arrived after the alarm found the media center completely trashed.
Photos shared by authorities showed a heartbreaking scene: books scattered everywhere, smashed chairs, broken doors, and a library left in ruins.
How their moms helped crack the case
After the sheriff’s office posted surveillance footage and photos online, tips started pouring in. But the most important leads came from an unexpected source—the boys’ own mothers.
“Their moms turned them in,” the sheriff’s office shared on social media, along with mugshots of the two boys: 12-year-old Felix Cohen Romero and 13-year-old Bentley Ryan Wehrly.
Once confronted, both boys reportedly confessed to the crime. The sheriff’s office noted that they broke into the school twice—first to vandalize, and again to return and cause even more damage.
Facing serious charges
The boys are now facing multiple charges, including:
- Two counts of burglary
- Two counts of trespassing on school property
- Criminal mischief
- Theft
Officials haven’t said yet how the case will move forward in the juvenile justice system, but the severity of the damage means the consequences could be serious.
Internet reacts: “Great job, moms!”
The story quickly spread online, with many people praising the moms for doing the right thing—even when it was hard. Comments on the sheriff’s Facebook page reflected widespread support.
“Great job moms!!! I’m sure that was incredibly hard, but it was the right thing to do,” one person wrote. “Helping them learn about consequences is the hardest part of being a parent.”
Others echoed the sentiment, with one user saying, “Thank you moms for seeing your child needs to see the world doesn’t revolve around them…”
While some were saddened that kids so young could end up with a criminal record, many still agreed that teaching responsibility early is important.
Should they clean up the mess?
Several commenters suggested the boys should be made to clean up the damage as part of their punishment.
“Assign them the library repair every day,” one person suggested. “Put books back on the shelves, clean every corner.”
Another added, “They should have to go clean it up during school hours so everyone can see.”
This story isn’t just about two boys who vandalized a school—it’s about parents making a tough but powerful decision. In a world where some parents might protect their kids from the consequences of bad behavior, these moms chose to teach accountability instead.
Their actions sparked an important conversation: Should more parents take this approach when their children do something wrong?
What would you do if your child broke the law? Would you turn them in? Let us know your thoughts—and share this story to keep the conversation going.
