Authorities say the pair mistook a 15-year-old boy for an adult when he dropped off their daughter after an overnight outing.
DELTONA, Fla. — A Florida mother and stepfather were arrested after deputies said they assaulted a 15-year-old boy who drove their daughter home, believing he was an adult. Investigators say the confrontation involved a knife, a metal pipe and a firearm before the teen was able to leave the property.
The case has drawn attention because the alleged victim was the same age as the couple’s daughter, a fact authorities say the adults did not realize during the encounter. Deputies charged the pair with multiple felony offenses after interviewing witnesses, examining damage to the teen’s vehicle and reviewing statements from those involved. Both defendants remained in custody following their arrests as the criminal case moved toward an initial court hearing.
According to investigators, the incident unfolded at about 3 p.m. at a residence on North Normandy Boulevard in Deltona. Authorities said the girl had been away from home overnight and was returned by a teenage friend. Deputies said the adults initially contacted law enforcement and reported that an adult male had brought their daughter home. The teen later told investigators that as he pulled into the driveway, a white van blocked his vehicle and prevented him from leaving. He said the girl’s stepfather emerged carrying a metal pipe and approached the car. After the teen lowered a window, the stepfather allegedly struck the roof of the vehicle with the pipe. The boy told deputies he became frightened as the situation escalated. Investigators said the confrontation continued for several minutes before the vehicle was finally allowed to leave the property.
Authorities identified the defendants as 45-year-old Rosa Lamourt Tiru and 61-year-old Lance Mulonas. Deputies said Mulonas allegedly held a knife near the teen’s neck during the encounter. Investigators also alleged that Tiru displayed a handgun while confronting the boy. The teen later met his mother at a nearby gas station, where she contacted emergency dispatchers and reported that two adults had threatened her son. The mother told authorities that her son was 15 years old and that weapons had been used during the confrontation. Deputies documented damage to the vehicle, which the teen’s mother estimated at approximately $4,000. Investigators said the boy reported fearing for his life while trapped at the residence. Authorities have not indicated that any physical injuries were reported, but the alleged threats and property damage became central parts of the criminal investigation.
The investigation highlights how quickly misunderstandings can escalate into serious criminal allegations. According to deputies, the adults believed their daughter had been dropped off by an adult male after being away from home all night. Investigators later determined that the driver was a teenager and was the same age as the girl. Law enforcement records indicate that the couple’s initial call to authorities did not include allegations that weapons had been displayed or that the teen’s vehicle had been damaged. Deputies said those details emerged after speaking with the boy and his mother. The case also underscores the legal significance of age in criminal investigations involving minors. Because the alleged victim was a child, prosecutors filed charges that reflect the age of the person involved as well as the nature of the alleged conduct.
Authorities charged both defendants with aggravated child abuse and aggravated assault. Mulonas also faces additional counts of false imprisonment and criminal mischief. Court records show that investigators booked the pair into the Volusia County Jail following their arrests. The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Prosecutors are expected to present evidence gathered during the investigation, including witness statements and physical evidence related to the damaged vehicle. Court proceedings will determine whether the case moves forward to trial or is resolved through another legal process. A hearing in the matter has been scheduled for July 1, when additional information about the prosecution’s case may become available.
Neighbors and residents in the area were left with questions about how a routine drop-off turned into a police investigation involving multiple felony charges. The scene described by investigators included a blocked driveway, damaged property and allegations involving three separate weapons. While authorities have outlined what they believe occurred, several details remain unresolved, including exactly what each participant saw and understood during the confrontation. Investigators have not publicly released body-camera footage or additional recordings connected to the incident. For now, the accounts provided by the teen, his mother and law enforcement form the basis of the criminal case. As court proceedings continue, prosecutors and defense attorneys will have the opportunity to challenge and examine those accounts in greater detail.
As of Tuesday, both defendants remained in custody, and the next major milestone in the case is a scheduled court hearing on July 1. Authorities have not announced any additional arrests or charges.