Girl, 11, stops burglars breaking into DeLand home

Volusia County deputies say girl screamed as man came into home

DeLAND, Fla. – An 11-year-old is being credited for stopping burglars in their tracks after Volusia County deputies say she scared them off by screaming and arming herself with a knife.

Xavier Bahena, 20, and Kelvin Kelly, 22, were arrested in the Monday morning burglary report on Abel Avenue.

Deputies said the 11-year-old girl was home alone when Bahena came into the house through the window. The girl grabbed a knife for protection and screamed when she saw Bahena, causing him to run away, according to the report.

"I hear more noises, like bigger noises, so I yell out 'mom are you there? mom'," Jazzmin Perez told Local 6. When no one responded, she immediately thought someone was in the house. Recalling her story to WKMG-TV Monday afternoon as she clutched to a Nintendo-covered phone, you're reminded she is your typical sixth-grader thrown into a very mature situation.

"And I thought they would have a weapon with them so that's why I had that knife with me for protection," said Perez.

Perez said she wasn't afraid to use the knife or stop there.

"Or, I could've just ran to that guy and tackled him or something," said Perez.

Xavier Bahena, Kelvin Kelly

Neighbors saw Bahena (on left in booking photos shown) get into a vehicle, driven by Kelly, and deputies said they stopped the vehicle and arrested the duo.

Deputies said Kelly attempted to run away again and hid from a DeLand police officer by jumping into hedges. He was then caught again.

Perez was not hurt in the burglary. Deputies said they recovered stolen jewelry, and are continuing to investigate.

According to the report, Bahena was charged with burglary to an occupied dwelling and possession of a controlled substance. Kelly was charged with principal to burglary, fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, driving with a suspended license and failure to appear on a charge of possession of marijuana. ?