Grandmother Charged Over Stolen Halloween Ghost
A 53-year-old babysitter was arrested after taking an inflatable decoration from a Lakeland porch during a drive with children.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Property Crime
Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested Tonya Mannion, 53, for stealing an inflatable Halloween ghost from a home in south Lakeland. Mannion was charged with causing a child to become delinquent, dependent or needy, unarmed burglary, criminal mischief, and petit theft.
Why it matters
The case shows how a routine holiday outing can turn into a criminal matter when property is taken without permission, even when a child is involved. Home surveillance video allowed deputies to track down the suspect and recover the decoration.
Mannion faces charges of unarmed burglary, criminal mischief, petit theft, and causing a child to become delinquent, dependent or needy. Property damage was valued at less than $200, and deputies recovered the inflatable ghost.
The players
Polk County Sheriff's Office
The Florida law enforcement agency that investigated the theft, tracked down the suspect, and made the arrest.
Tonya Mannion
The 53-year-old Lakeland woman arrested and charged in connection with the theft of the inflatable Halloween ghost.
The details
Mannion was driving three grandchildren, ages 8 and 9, to view Halloween decorations when one child pointed out an inflatable ghost on a porch. She asked the child if they wanted it, and after the child said yes, surveillance video showed Mannion unplugging the decoration from the porch and driving away with it.
Timeline
Halloween season: Mannion took the children driving to view decorations.
Same day: Deputies tracked Mannion down, recovered the inflatable ghost, and made the arrest.
Legal Context
Florida charges unarmed burglary for entering a structure with intent to commit an offense, which here was applied to the taking of a porch decoration. The case shows how property theft involving a child can lead to multiple charges under state law.
Residents with decorations on porches may want to keep them secured or monitored during the holiday season. The arrest also shows that home surveillance footage can help law enforcement recover stolen items quickly.
The takeaway
Property owners who rely on home surveillance may be able to identify thieves and help police recover belongings quickly. Keeping decorations secured or monitored can reduce the chance of an easy theft during busy seasons.
Further reading
For more local cases like this, browse Property Crime coverage across the region.
