A firefighter with Orange County Fire Rescue has been placed on paid leave and charged with two counts of misdemeanor stalking after allegedly dumping 75 red-stained tampons in her ex-boyfriend’s yard in DeLand, Florida.
Deputies arrested Gabrielle Franze after the incident was reported around 10 p.m. on September 29. The ex-boyfriend, who lives at the home with his new girlfriend, discovered the tampons—“stained red as if they were possibly used,” according to deputies—the following morning.
Surveillance footage showed a dark-colored pickup truck slowly driving past the residence. A woman was seen stepping out of the truck, waiting for traffic to pass, and tossing the items into the yard.
The victims identified Franze as the suspect, telling investigators she had expressed anger about their relationship through social media posts and negative comments to mutual friends.
Investigators confirmed Franze owns a truck matching the one in the footage, and license plate readers placed her vehicle in the area during the incident. When questioned, Franze first denied knowing her ex’s address but later admitted to the act, claiming “it was not her idea.” She alleged her mother and aunt, visiting from out of state, came up with the plan.
Franze told deputies the trio purchased a large number of tampons, painted them red to resemble used ones, and threw them into the yard. Deputies wrote that her actions showed “a course of conduct” intended solely to harass the victims and “serve no legitimate purpose.”
Franze was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail and later released on bond. Her attorney has filed a motion to dismiss the charges, arguing there’s insufficient evidence of a crime.
Orange County Fire Rescue confirmed Franze is on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation, according to WFTV.
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