Mom Avoids Prison After Encouraging Daughter, 9, to Steal from Target and Not Swiping at Self-Checkout

A woman in Florida accused of aiding her 9-year-old daughter in stealing various items from Target inside her pink backpack, including earrings and candy, while the mother swiped other things, like soda and self-tanner, has agreed to a plea deal to avoid prison.

Lisa Debenedictis received two years probation after she pleaded no contest to felony petit theft, according to court records reviewed by Law & Crime. However, she also received 30 days in jail for a driving-while-suspended charge, per court records reviewed by Globe, with a disposition date of Thursday, November 5.

Police were called to the scene by Target’s asset protection team on August 1 for a report of a woman, 48, and child who “were concealing merchandise and had just exited the store,” per the arrest affidavit reviewed by Law & Crime.

Surveillance footage inside the store captured the child stealing $25.97 worth of merchandise by placing it inside a pink backpack, according to the affidavit. Debenedictis swiped $47.27 worth of merchandise by intentionally not swiping items at self-checkout, per police.

According to the affidavit, “While Lisa was inside the bathroom, [the child] obtained merchandise and placed it into a pink backpack.” Debenedictis then returned, per the report, “and grabbed a package of Lysol wipes from the shopping cart and placed the item into [the child’s] backpack with her knowledge.”

In addition to the Lysol, police said the girl stole $20 gold-plated earrings and $2.99 candy, while Debenedictis failed to scan soda, sugar, bagels, cream cheese, feminine wipes, acrylic paint, stickers, card packs, a blending brush, and self tanning drops.

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

A misdemeanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a child was dropped as part of the plea deal, per Law & Crime, while Debenedictis pleaded no contest to the driving-while-suspended charge and was ordered to serve her 30-day sentence at the Flagler County Detention Center.