Florida mother Kellye Saffold charged after forcing 9-year-old to steal

A Florida mother has been arrested after police say she forced her 9-year-old daughter to steal Lysol wipes, candy and earrings from a Target store while she herself used self-checkout to steal self-tanner, Coca-Cola and other items.

The incident happened at a Target in Kissimmee on July 13. Police say the mother placed the stolen goods into a pink backpack after the girl had walked through the store collecting the items. The mother then allegedly walked through self-checkout without paying for her own items. Surveillance footage reportedly shows the girl dropping the Lysol wipes and candy into the backpack while the mother stood nearby.

Police charged the mother, identified as 38-year-old Kellye Saffold, with child neglect and petit theft. According to an arrest report, Saffold told officers she had no money at the time and needed the items. She claimed she was going to return them later. The items found in the backpack were valued at around $25. The stolen items from her own purchase totaled about $50. The 9-year-old was not charged.

The case raises concerns about exposing young children to criminal behavior. Experts say forcing a child to participate in theft can have long-term psychological effects. Saffold was booked into the Osceola County Jail. Her bond was set at $2,500. Police say the investigation is ongoing and they are reviewing additional footage from the store.