VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. \u2013 A 12-year-old boy was arrested over a \u201cdoor-kicking challenge\u201d in Deltona over the weekend, though new footage shows a Volusia County deputy having a heartfelt exchange with him, according to the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
In a release, sheriff\u2019s office officials said that the incident originally happened in Deltona over the weekend, though the child was ultimately arrested on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201c(He) told detectives he did it because he was bored,\u201d the release reads. \u201cDespite multiple warnings, we continue to see this dangerous trend in our community. In fact, detectives are working to identify three individuals who were out doing this in Deltona last night in a separate case.\u201d<\/p>\n
[RELATED: Deputies on the hunt for minors behind Deltona \u2018door-kicking challenge\u2019]<\/p>\n
Released body-camera footage shows the child in the back of the patrol car, though a school resource deputy is heard speaking with him.<\/p>\n
\u201cListen, you\u2019re not a bad kid, bro. You just stop hanging out with people you\u2019ve been hanging out with,\u201d the deputy says. \u201cListen to mom. Listen to dad.\u201d<\/p>\n
The deputy is also heard telling the child that the arrest is \u201cjust a minor stepping stone,\u201d assuring the 12-year-old, \u201cYou\u2019ll be alright; I promise you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The two talk a little longer, before the boy claims, \u201cI hate myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, don\u2019t hate yourself. You\u2019ll be alright, buddy…\u201d the deputy responds. \u201cListen, I promise you, you\u2019re still gonna be able to become a cop.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou promise?\u201d the boy asks.<\/p>\n
\u201cI promise,\u201d the deputy says again.<\/p>\n
[RELATED: Teen to be arrested after Deltona dog killed in viral door kick-in challenge]<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the sheriff\u2019s office urged parents to speak with their children about the dangers of the so-called \u201cdoor-kicking challenge,\u201d warning that it could lead to a felony charge or even get someone killed.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a matter of time before one of these kids gets shot,\u201d the sheriff\u2019s office noted. \u201cFlorida residents will exercise their right to defend their home. You can recover from a lot of young, dumb mistakes, but a bullet to the chest might be a consequence you can\u2019t overcome.\u201d<\/p>\n
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