Florida woman accused of false imprisonment after park dispute escalates

A Florida grandmother has been arrested after authorities alleged she helped intimidate a group of children and trapped them inside a public restroom following an ongoing dispute involving her teenage granddaughter.

According to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, 64-year-old Allyson Pease-Frankel was arrested on charges of false imprisonment after an incident at Ralph Carter Park in Palm Coast on May 25.

Investigators said the confrontation stemmed from an earlier altercation involving Pease-Frankel's 13-year-old granddaughter and several other juveniles.

Authorities claim the disagreement began the previous day when the teen allegedly attempted to provoke a physical fight with one of the children at the park.

The situation reportedly escalated later that evening, with the teenager allegedly contacting several youths through calls and messages, demanding they come outside to fight.

Deputies responded to the area at the time and classified the encounter as a verbal dispute.

According to investigators, the alleged threats continued into the early hours of May 25. Authorities said the teenager repeatedly challenged the youths to fight and allegedly threatened to kill two of them.

Officials further alleged that both the teen and her grandmother warned they would bring a pit bull to the park.

Later that day, five juveniles arrived at Ralph Carter Park, where they were allegedly confronted by a group of adults and teenagers who arrived in multiple vehicles, including one carrying a pit bull.

Authorities said the children ran into a public restroom and locked the door as the group approached. Investigators allege that Pease-Frankel took possession of the dog and walked toward the restroom while her granddaughter and others followed.

The sheriff's office claims Pease-Frankel pushed against the restroom door with enough force to cause it to flex, while the teenager allegedly kicked the door multiple times.

The children remained inside the restroom for several minutes and reportedly called for help before the group eventually left the area.

Officials confirmed the dog never entered the restroom.

During the incident, investigators allege the teenager took personal belongings left behind by the children, including a cellphone and clothing.

Detectives later recovered the discarded items from a nearby retention pond.

As a result of the investigation, the 13-year-old was arrested on two counts of written threats to kill and one count of felony grand theft. She was later transferred to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Pease-Frankel was taken into custody on a charge of false imprisonment and later posted a $5,000 bond.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly urged parents and guardians to remain actively involved in their children's activities, particularly during summer break.

The investigation remains ongoing.