Left: Ralph Carter Park in Palm Coast, Fla. (City of Palm Coast). Right: Allyson Pease-Frankel (Flagler County Sheriff”s Office).
In a puzzling turn of events in Florida, a grandmother’s actions have landed her in legal trouble, showcasing a poor role model for her teenage granddaughter. Authorities report that she intervened in her granddaughter’s dispute with other teens by confining them in a park restroom.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Department revealed through a Facebook announcement that 64-year-old Allyson Pease-Frankel was taken into custody on charges of false imprisonment. Meanwhile, her 13-year-old granddaughter is facing juvenile court charges for issuing written threats to kill and for grand theft.
The conflict, which unfolded on May 24, began when the young girl allegedly sought to instigate a fight with another teen at Ralph Carter Park in Palm Coast. According to police, she pulled another girl’s hair, but they were quickly separated. Later, the girl attempted to reignite the altercation by visiting the victim’s neighborhood, though it ended without further incident. Deputies who arrived on the scene concluded it was merely a verbal confrontation and departed.
The following day, on May 25, Pease-Frankel escalated the situation, authorities allege. The grandmother reportedly threatened to bring a pit bull to the park in anticipation of a fight, while her granddaughter allegedly made death threats toward two of the teens.
When the confrontation was set to occur, Pease-Frankel and her granddaughter arrived at the park accompanied by the pit bull, according to police accounts. In response, the victims sought refuge in a restroom and locked the door.
“With the victims trapped inside, Pease-Frankel exerted enough force on the restroom door to cause it to bend, and her granddaughter repeatedly kicked the door. Although the victims had called for assistance, they remained confined for several minutes until the duo eventually left the park,” deputies reported.
Sheriff Rick Staly said Pease-Frankel should have taught her granddaughter to de-escalate the situation instead of encouraging her to fight.
“It is not uncommon for teens to have disagreements with one another, but violence is never the answer and can lead to lifelong consequences. Rather than deescalate this situation, Grandma chose to run backup for this teen’s poor decisions,” he said in a statement.
“Granny certainly won’t win the grandma of the year award,” the statement continued. “Parents and grandparents, act like adults and teach your children and grandchildren the proper and legal way to handle disagreements by modeling the correct behavior.”
The school year for kids in the Sunshine State recently ended and summer break is just beginning.
“Let this be a reminder for parents and guardians to be the sheriff of your own home and know where your kids are at all times. Stay involved and talk to them about making good decisions and the consequences of their actions,” said Staly.
Pease-Frankel was arrested Thursday and taken to the Flagler County Jail, where she has since posted a $5,000 bond. Her granddaughter was taken to the Department of Juvenile Justice.
