DeLand Dog Attack Owner Arrested Again on Fresh Drug Charges After 8-Year-Old’s Tragic Death

Volusia County, Florida – In a troubling twist of events, the owner of the dog involved in the tragic death of an eight-year-old boy in DeLand finds herself in legal jeopardy once again. As uncovered by News 6 through jail records, Brandy Franco, previously known as Brandy Hodil, has been arrested on drug-related charges.

The 41-year-old Franco is now facing allegations of advertising drug paraphernalia and possessing a controlled substance without a prescription, painting a grim portrait of her ongoing legal struggles.

According to court documents, Franco’s arrest occurred on Thursday. She currently remains in custody with her bond set at $3,000.

[PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Trial delayed in DeLand dog attack death case, family’s ongoing pursuit of justice and additional charges]

Last year, deputies revealed that 8-year-old Michael Millet was riding his bike in DeLand when dogs escaped from a nearby property and fatally attacked him.

Since then, Franco and another woman — identified as Amanda Franco — were identified by law enforcement as the dog owners, and both face tampering charges after allegedly deleting Facebook messages about the dogs’ troubles.

Amanda Franco faces an additional charge under the Dangerous Dogs Act for an “attack or bite by unclassified dog that causes severe injury or death.”

News 6 also obtained screenshots of the deleted conversations.

They show a history of neighbors telling Amanda Franco the dogs got out.

One message from November 2024 shows Amanda Franco talking about the dogs escaping their property and attacking and killing neighbor’s chickens.

Then, messages from the day of the attack show Brandy Franco surprised the dogs got out again and attacked.

The state attorney’s office has said prosecutors reviewed the case for months and considered manslaughter charges, but they concluded there was not enough evidence to prove culpable negligence beyond a reasonable doubt — a must for manslaughter — and they are bound by Florida statutes and laws.

Their statement said, “Culpable negligence requires proof that a person wantonly and consciously followed a course of conduct that the defendant knew, or reasonably should have known, was likely to cause death or great bodily injury to another.”