Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

My wife and 8 YEAR OLD daughter were shopping in a South Florida Publix store yesterday, and my daughter had a Novelty / Cloth phone case with her in the shape of an owl. She put the phone case in her mothers purse while in the store, and then minutes later was stopped by a Publix Employee (Not a Manager) and accused of stealing. The employee didn't stop my wife, only my daughter. My wife had continued to walk for 6-8 feet before turning to locate my daughter. With other customers watching, My wife then showed the employee that it wasn't an item from the store and the employee turned and walked away. My wife found a manager and told the manager the situation, but they were unable to locate the employee on the sales floor. The manager told my wife that employees were under no circumstance allowed to stop and accuse anyone of stealing while inside the store. My wife and daughter are now completely embarrassed and do not want to return to that store. Is there any laws in Florida about Accusing (not questioning) an 8 year old CHILD of stealing ??? Especially since my child was stopped in the aisle and accused and her Mother was not ???

Asked on 2/24/16, 6:50 am

Craig Epifanio Craig Epifanio, P.A.

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They can accuse ANYONE They believe committed a crime. Whether the State would actually prosecute is another story, and probably not likely.

Answered on 2/24/16, 6:59 am

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