A Florida grandmother’s decision to take a $15 Halloween ghost for her grandchildren ended with six criminal charges and a story Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd clearly enjoyed telling. By the time he finished his morning briefing, Grandma had given up the ghost, gone to jail, and inspired a warning for anyone with inflatable Christmas decorations.
Tonya Jean Mannion, 53, was babysitting three grandchildren, two 8-year-olds and a 9-year-old, when she stopped at a Lakeland home on October 16, 2026, and took a Halloween decoration. According to an arrest affidavit filed with the Polk County Clerk of Court, Mannion later admitted taking it because the children had asked her for it.
The afternoon outing also involved a 2012 Buick Enclave and a damaged warning sign. Investigators documented approximately $20 in property damage, while the stolen decoration was valued at just $15. Mannion was arrested the following day on charges including felony burglary, petit theft, criminal mischief, and three misdemeanors involving the children.
Judd shared the incident during his November 6 morning briefing, imagining how an ordinary afternoon of babysitting might have turned into an impromptu Halloween decoration shopping trip. He acknowledged inventing the conversations, but the explanation Mannion reportedly gave investigators was remarkably close to his version.
Grandma, Can We Have That Ghost?
Judd began by imagining Mannion agreeing to watch her daughter’s children before deciding to take them for a ride around South Lakeland to see Halloween decorations. In his telling, the children excitedly pointed out the displays until one spotted an inflatable ghost.
“Grandma here says, ‘Do you want it?’ And they go, ‘Sure,'” Judd said, making clear he was inventing the exchange.
The arrest affidavit documents what happened at approximately 1:39 p.m. on October 16. Investigators say Mannion backed her 2012 Buick Enclave into the home’s driveway, struck a yellow warning sign and caused about $20 in damage. She then got out, walked toward the residence and removed the decoration from a window beneath the roof overhang.
The homeowner told deputies she had not given Mannion permission to enter the property or take anything. Judd said a security camera captured the incident, and deputies subsequently located Mannion with the ghost still in her vehicle. After receiving Miranda warnings, Mannion reportedly acknowledged taking the decoration because her grandchildren had asked her for it.
“We stop her, and guess what? She’s got the ghost,” Judd said. “Then she gave up the ghost, and then we took her to jail.”
A $15 Ghost and Six Criminal Charges
The value of the stolen decoration did little to limit the charges. Polk County jail records show Mannion was booked on six counts:
- Burglary of an unoccupied structure while unarmed, a third-degree felony.
- Petit theft, a second-degree misdemeanor.
- Criminal mischief involving property damage under $200, a second-degree misdemeanor.
- Three counts of causing a child to become delinquent, dependent or needy, first-degree misdemeanors.
The three child-related counts concern the grandchildren accompanying Mannion. Investigators cited her conduct as encouraging or contributing to a child’s becoming delinquent, dependent or in need of services. The affidavit does not say the children got out of the Buick or physically participated in taking the decoration.
The burglary charge stems from Mannion’s entry into the home’s curtilage, the protected area immediately surrounding a residence. Florida’s burglary statute can apply to unauthorized entry into that area with the intent to commit an offense, even when the property taken has little monetary value.
Mannion was booked into the Polk County Jail on October 17, with listed bond amounts totaling $8,750. She was released on October 19, the same day her criminal case, 53-2026-CF-010383-A000-BA, was filed in Polk County Circuit Court. The case remains pending.
Trick or Treat, Grandma
Judd concluded his briefing with another Halloween punchline: “So trick or treat, Grandma. We recovered the ghost, and you got the trick.”
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office continued the joke in a November 6 Facebook post, observing that some residents had already started putting up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving. With Mannion out on bond, the department suggested they keep a close eye on the inflatable Santas in their yards.
All parties are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.