A Volusia County woman told Channel 9 that her children were held at gunpoint and handcuffed by deputies because of a fake 911 call.
Deputies said a man called early Thursday and said he had stabbed his girlfriend inside their DeBary home and would shoot them if they tried to come in.
DEBARY, Fla. — It turned out to be a case of "swatting," a term used for bogus 911 calls in which a caller hopes to create a major emergency response.
Erika Benfield said her family was terrified when they awakened to find deputies in their home with guns drawn.
The Benfields had no idea until it was all over that they were victims of a hoax.
Benfield said deputies’ guns were at one point aimed at her husband.
"They came prepared for what was called in as a murder-suicide attempt, and they came prepared with full force to raid the home and to protect or save a life," Benfield said.
An unknown caller told dispatchers about 2:45 a.m. that he had stabbed his girlfriend, had a pistol under a couch and would shoot deputies, and then himself if they tried to come inside.
"We only saw shadows and flashlights and guns," said Benfield.
The call was a hoax, but until deputies could sort it out, Benfield's husband and 18-year-old daughter were placed in handcuffs and she said their dog was almost shot.
"We felt violated. Without a warrant; because this is normal procedure, they raided through our home, they went through every corner. They went through the barn. They wanted to secure the premises," she said.
Benfield said she later understood why deputies were on high alert, even though her family was traumatized.
Benfield, who is running for DeBary City Council, said she’s calling for tougher laws and penalties for anyone who prank calls 911.
Misuse of the 911 system is a third-degree felony.
Cox Media Group
