The owner of two dogs who fatally mauled a Volusia County boy may only face a misdemeanor rap due to current state laws, according to a report.
Matthew Millett, 8, was attacked near his DeLand home on Jan. 14 in what Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood called one of the worst cases of his law enforcement career.
The animals were unleashed at the time and set upon Millett after he attempted to pet one of them while riding his bike with friends.
Frustrated Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood told WFTV that state laws will make charging Franco with anything other than a misdemeanor unlikely.
Officials had to wait ten days before euthanizing the animals to allow for Franco to file an appeal, but she didn’t do so and they were put down on Thursday.
Matthew’s parents, Tiffani and Michael, raged at Franco soon after the incident, telling The Citizen that they want her to be held accountable for the horrific attack.
“Because she didn’t take care of her dogs, my son is no longer here,” Tiffani Connell said. “I want to see her punished for this.”
The dogs did not have any prior reported incidents.
A GoFundMe campaign for the Millett family has raise nearly $90,000 since the attack, with donors offering their condolences from around the world.
Bailey has several prior criminal cases against her, including theft, drug possession and domestic assault raps.
