The 18th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office will decide whether to charge two women in the case of an 8-year-old boy who was mauled to death by two dogs north of DeLand.
The office of 7th Circuit State Attorney R.J. Larizza would normally make any charging decision in the case of Michael Millett III, who was mauled to death by a pit bull and a mixed-breed dog on January 13.
But Larizza’s office asked Gov. Ron DeSantis to reassign the case because Amanda Franco, who was previously identified as the owner of the dogs, is related to an employee of Larizza’s office, according to an executive order from the governor’s office.
The order states that Larizza has advised DeSantis “that Amanda Franco and Brandy Hodil are under investigation for manslaughter by culpable negligence and owning a dangerous dog.”
No one has been charged in the case. The dogs were euthanized.
DeSantis reassigned the case to William Scheiner, the state attorney for the 18th Judicial Circuit covering Brevard and Seminole counties, according to the executive order dated February 7.
Scheiner’s office issued a statement on Thursday.
“We’re anguished by this child’s death and understand the gravity of our assignment in this tragic case. For now, we are committed to supporting the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office as it gathers information necessary for a decision on charges,” Scheiner stated.
The order stated that Larizza had voluntarily disqualified himself to “avoid a conflict of interest or any appearance of impropriety.”
Volusia Sheriff vows to hold dogs’ owner responsible
Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood has vowed to hold Franco responsible and previously told reporters he hopes she is at least charged with negligent homicide.
The boy’s family has retained the firm of Morgan & Morgan which previously stated Michael and a friend were waiting for another boy to join them on a bike ride in their gated community when Michael was attacked.
The boys had no interaction with the dogs prior to the attack contrary to initial reports that claimed the boys approached and petted the dogs, which Michael’s friend said were friendly at first, the release from Morgan & Morgan stated.
The dogs did not belong to anyone in the gated community, the release stated.
A Gofundme for the boy’s family had raised $3,345 toward a $50,000 goal as of Thursday afternoon.
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