Florida mom accused of using 9-year-old in Target theft scheme, records show

Posted by Phil Stilton

1 min read

August 10, 2026

A child and a pink backpack are at the center of a shoplifting case that unfolded outside a Target in Flagler County, where deputies say a mother directed her daughter to conceal items while she bypassed payment at self-checkout. The incident, detailed in an arrest affidavit, led to charges against a 48-year-old woman accused of orchestrating the theft.

FLAGLER COUNTY, FL – Lisa Debenedictis is charged with petit theft and contributing to the delinquency of a child after deputies say she involved her 9-year-old daughter in a coordinated shoplifting attempt at a Target store. According to court records, the alleged theft involved both concealed merchandise and items not scanned at checkout.

An arrest affidavit states deputies responded after store asset protection staff reported that a woman and child “were concealing merchandise and had just exited the store.” Deputies made contact with Debenedictis and her daughter outside and reviewed surveillance footage from inside the store.

Allegations detailed in affidavit

“While Lisa was inside the bathroom, [the child] obtained merchandise and placed it into a pink backpack,” the affidavit says. “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.”

According to investigators, the child allegedly concealed $25.97 worth of merchandise, including “14K Gold Plated Earrings” valued at $19.99, “Gumi Yum” candy valued at $2.99, and “Lysol Spray” valued at $2.99. Surveillance footage also showed the pair continuing to move through the store selecting additional items before heading to self-checkout.

“Lisa purposely did not scan numerous items and placed them into a grocery bag,” the affidavit alleges. “Additionally, Lisa purposely failed to scan merchandise that was left inside the grocery cart and did not attempt to scan the items.”

Authorities say Debenedictis allegedly failed to pay for $47.27 worth of goods, including organic sugar, Coca-Cola, bagels, cream cheese, feminine wipes, an EcoTools blending brush, self-tanning drops, acrylic paint, stickers, and trading card packs.

Charges and next court date

“It was determined that Lisa encouraged and assisted [her daughter] to conceal unpaid merchandise with the intent on depriving Target,” the affidavit concludes. “Furthermore, Lisa participated in the theft by purposely not scanning numerous items and accompanying [her daughter] of Target without rendering payment, passing all points of sale.”

Investigators stated that the child’s actions constituted petit theft and that Debenedictis “caused and contributed to [her daughter’s] delinquency.”

Debenedictis is scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 1, according to court records.

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