A TikTok trend turned fatal for a Florida family’s pet after a teenager allegedly smashed through their front door in December.
Volusia County deputies took Jerald “Trey” Lucas, 14, of DeLand into custody at his school Tuesday on burglary and criminal mischief charges, according to a press release. The homeowner, Dysani Cid, returned to her Deltona residence on Dec. 20 and discovered her door had been forced open, News 6 reported. Her Yorkshire terrier, Spookie, had escaped and was later discovered dead on a nearby road after seemingly being struck by a vehicle.
Investigators identified several juveniles who attended a nearby party that night and went out to play “ding-dong ditch” in the neighborhood, the sheriff’s office said. Audio from a nearby home’s security system recorded the break-in, which led detectives to the teen who allegedly kicked Cid’s door multiple times until it broke open. (RELATED: TikTok Dodges Trial In Landmark Social Media Addiction Case)
“If it was my door, I don’t care about my door,” Cid told WESH 2. “But he didn’t deserve that. He didn’t deserve to die like that.”
Cid’s own Ring doorbell camera was not working at the time, leaving evidence limited. Detectives initially told her no charges would be filed. But a phone call from News 6 correspondent Molly Reed questioning that decision pushed investigators to take a second look, the outlet reported.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood has previously issued warnings about the dangers of the door-kick challenge, telling WESH 2 in 2025 that participants risk deadly consequences under the state’s Castle Doctrine.
“That’s a good way to end up dead, especially in Florida,” Chitwood said.
Cid hopes the punishment leaves a clear message.
“Have them do community service at a local dog shelter — three years, that’s how old Spooky was! That’s how I feel,” she told News 6.