A Florida grandmother has been arrested after allegedly stealing an inflatable Halloween ghost from a Lakeland home while taking her grandchildren out to look at seasonal decorations.
Tonya Mannion, 53, was babysitting her daughter’s three children – two aged eight and one aged nine – when one of them spotted the decoration outside a house, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
The child reportedly admired the ghost and Mannion allegedly asked whether they wanted it. Investigators say she then stopped her vehicle, walked on to the property and unplugged the inflatable before placing it in the car.
Inflatable Halloween ghost recovered
Home surveillance footage captured the alleged theft, allowing deputies to identify and locate Mannion, Sheriff Judd said.
The decoration was recovered and returned to its owner. Mannion was taken to jail following the incident.
“She ripped off the ghost, and put it in the car and drove off,” Sheriff Judd said, questioning what example the incident set for the children.
Mannion was arrested on three counts of causing a child to become delinquent, dependent or needy. She also faces charges of unarmed burglary of an unoccupied structure, criminal mischief involving less than $200 in damage and petit theft.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office later said Mannion had been released on bond. She has not been convicted and the allegations against her have not been tested in court.
“Trick or treat grandma, we recovered the ghost, and you got the trick,” Sheriff Judd said.
