Updates: Two dogs kill 8-year-old Michael Millett in DeLand (Video)
Following are some heartbreaking updates to yesterday’s story about the eight-year-old boy being mauled to death by two loose dogs in DeLand, Florida. The child who lost his life has been identified as Michael Millett. Michael’s family has a Facebook page dedicated to their son; and a GoFundMe tribute has also been started in Michael’s name.
Michael is the youngest of three children. According to Fox 35 Orlando, he was named after his dad. Michael’s dad is a truck driver and was in Texas at the time of the attack. He drove overnight to get home.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office posted the 911 call made to emergency services about Michael and his friend being attacked by the two dogs, one dog described as a pit bull and the other a mixed breed.
The owner of the animals has been identified as repeat felon Amanda Bailey Franco, who as of yesterday was refusing to sign off on having the two dogs euthanized, according to St. Johns Citizen, who quoted Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood as saying that Franco has prior convictions ranging from assault with a deadly weapon to numerous drug raps. “We are going to do everything in our power to make sure these animals are destroyed and that she is charged,” Chitwood said.
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Michael Millett Jr. Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002843940941
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Ace News Today’s original article from January 14, 2025. appears below in its original entirety.
For the latest on the Michael Millett and family’s tragic story, see the video below.
Two dogs kill 8-year-old boy in DeLand
(1/14/2025) On January 14, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office headquartered in DeLand, Florida, shared some horrible news about an eight-year-old boy who lost his life when he was killed by two dogs. A family in Central Florida is now dealing with the grief of that tragedy after a pair of dogs attacked the boy just north of DeLand.
The attack was reported just before 5 p.m. yesterday in the area of Arabesque Drive and Airport Road, off CR 15A. Witnesses called 911 and began CPR on the boy, but tragically, the child could not survive his injuries.
Responding deputies chased the loose dogs down the road. Volusia County Animal Services officers also responded to the scene and captured both animals, one described as a pit bull and the other a mixed breed. The dogs have been confiscated and are being held in quarantine by Animal Services.
A joint investigation was commenced by officials to determine the circumstances of the animal attack. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood held a press briefing on the tragedy earlier today following the preliminary results of the Sheriff Office’s initial investigation. During that press conference, Chitwood referred to the child’s injuries as “horrific” and said dogs had been “terrorizing” the neighborhood for weeks.
He said the boy was riding his bike with a friend when he stopped to pet one of the dogs. That’s when the attack happened. Chitwood said the boy’s mom dove on top of the boy, according to WESH.
“I don’t know what anyone can say to ease the immense pain this family is feeling tonight,” Chitwood said yesterday evening. “This is a tragedy beyond comprehension, especially for those of us who are parents and grandparents. I can only ask our community to say a prayer of strength for this family and keep them in your hearts as they face their worst nightmare.”
For more on the tragic story that claimed the live of an eight-year-old boy who just wanted to pet a dog, see the video accompanying this article.
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(Source: Volusia Sheriff’s Office)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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