Only one family comes forward to apologize in Estero vandalism
By
WINK News
Story Created:
Aug 6, 2008 at 6:19 PM EST
Story Updated:
Aug 6, 2008 at 6:40 PM EST
LEE COUNTY, Fla. - Twelve teens have been arrested so far this week in connection to the vandalism and burglary of an Estero family's home.
The Williamson's returned from vacation to find their StoneyBrook home covered in rotten meat and maggots and water covering the first floor, three inches deep.
They only found out about it when a Lee County Sheriff's deputy called to tell them their truck had been stolen and used in a separate crime in Bonita Springs.
So far, the Williamson's say only one of the twelve teens families has come forward to personally apologize for what happened.
We tried to contact all twelve families, but were only able to talk to four of them.
The mother of a 14-year-old girl involved says her daughter knows what she did was wrong and is ready to face the consequences. She turned down an on camera interview after receiving threats.
The grandmother of a 15-year old girl says she's still trying to gather all of the facts about what happened and what her granddaughter's involvement was.
We were also able to speak with the families of two teen boys accused in the theft of the Williamson's truck. Their families tell us they had nothing to do with the vandalism of the home.
Rebecca's Romano, the sister of a 15-year-old told us, "He's a good kid, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but thankfully he had nothing to do with the house at all. We're going to get through this, we're anxious to start school and get this behind us."
At least six of the twelve arrested face charges for the vandalism of the home, that left more than $77,000 in structural damage to the home.
That cost does not include the loss of the items stolen from the home. The Williamson's estimate they could be facing about $200,000 in total losses when all of the damage and thefts are factored in.
Jennifer Williamson told us Tuesday, they are still going through the house and cleaning up the mess left behind, so a definite dollar figure is hard to estimate.
The Williamson's say they are thankful for the support from the community.
Due to WINK News policy, we are not naming the twelve because they are minors.
Friday, Aug 8 at 12:06 PM mauihoser wrote ...
Good Kids don't damage other's property. Make their families pay whatever the damages add up to, plus a written apology from every kid that was there, whether or not they participated in destroying the property or not.
Thursday, Aug 7 at 4:23 PM Anonymous wrote ...
this is why my teen goes to camp while I am working......
Thursday, Aug 7 at 4:16 PM Sunflower...... wrote ...
That was an ex. about some teen-age's and the parents not teaching them having respect for other's and so on.If you live in Lehigh Acres then you know what I'm talking about.The young teen-age's in the story should pay for what they did to the house.That's how they learn about the real world that if you do a crime then you have to pay for what you did.That's life.
Thursday, Aug 7 at 4:12 PM Sunflower wrote ...
Too many teen-age's are lefted home alone.And not keeping busy with positive things to do.In the school-year after middle school and high school the kids are hanging out at the Lehigh Acres library some are there because the right reason's but many doing things that they should't be doing and there is a police-officer there in the afternoon's.The library is a great place but when they disrespect the library and other's then the PARENTS should do something.The libary is not a daycare for teen-age
Thursday, Aug 7 at 1:57 PM NICKIE wrote ...
those kids should be sentenced to come in and repair the things that does not require a professional. they should have had to go and pick up all of that raw meat and everything, while facing the owners so they could see the hurt they had caused the family. as for the parents who are saying they are good kids, that may be true however they have done something terrible and at a time when people are barely getting by. to the parents: MAKE YOUR CHILDREN TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ACTIONS!
Thursday, Aug 7 at 1:38 PM Thompson Abigail wrote ...
This is only a consecuquense of parental education, because you teach your kids since they start walking, not to toch any thing that does not belong to you. This teen are live example of the the poor parental education our future generation are taking today.
Thursday, Aug 7 at 1:04 PM Alexxxxxxx wrote ...
Honestly, what my friends did was very stupid, and horrible, and I feel bad for the Williamson family, but most of you don't even know the kids that did this, so I don't know where you get of calling them bad kids. They just made bad choices. So I suggest you word your sentences correctly. I know for a fact, that Julie is not the "leader" of this Vandilism either. So get your fact straight.
Thursday, Aug 7 at 12:28 PM Justice wrote ...
These criminal children need to pay all the money back. If they don't have it, their wages should be garnished and adjusted for inflation and interest once they get a job. People need to take responsibility for their actions.
Thursday, Aug 7 at 12:19 PM dollie wrote ...
as family members why do we defend our children when we know they are out late,committing crimes, all we can say they are good kids,good kids donot commit crimes.Give them more time.
Thursday, Aug 7 at 12:10 PM SEDNSWFL wrote ...
All involced should spend time in jail. The parents of the minors involed should be held finanically responsible. If any involed are adults they should be forced to work and reimburse the family for the damage.
Thursday, Aug 7 at 10:44 AM Brandon wrote ...
I guess the days of soaping a car, ring and run and toilet papering someone's tree are over. Kids these days are simply out of control. Parents..........., IT'S YOUR FAULT!
Thursday, Aug 7 at 8:56 AM Leah wrote ...
I dont understand why the Williamsons are cleaning this mess, take those kids put them in bright orange jump suites and let them clean their own mess up. And for the parents of these children, they should be knocking on the door with a mop and bucket!
Thursday, Aug 7 at 7:36 AM The Joker wrote ...
I don't feel bad for any of these kids because the one that is suffering is this homeowner has to leave or repair this dream home she built. The teens are only facing 21 days secure detention, personally I don't think that's enough time. Me being the victim I would sue each and everyone of them. All the parents can say is ohh their good kids but you know what those good kids caused a lot of money in damage and theft.
Thursday, Aug 7 at 7:15 AM SAM wrote ...
Too many parents not teaching respect. The parents are at work trying to make ends meet and are no longer home to show their kids how to respect themselves and others. Remember...do onto to others...
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