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Teenager arrested in vandalism of reservist's home

News Channel 8 photo by DAVID KRAUT

Pink paint was splattered on the walls, television, floors, furniture and ceiling, and the walls had been burned.

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TBO.com

Published: June 17, 2009

Updated: 06/17/2009 06:21 pm

WESLEY CHAPEL - After the arrest of a teenager who deputies say vandalized an Army reservist's Wesley Chapel home by spraying beds with urine, smearing feces and splattering paint on the walls, Arleen Agosto has one question: "Why?"

"I just want to know why he was so angry. What made him go after my photos and just the total destruction of things in the house?" Agosto said.

Pasco County sheriff's deputies have arrested Joseph Taylor Duncan, a 15-year-old neighbor of Agosto. He lives on the same street as the Agostos, said Pasco County Sheriff's Office spokesman Kevin Doll.

Agosto's home sustained more than $15,000 damage. She returned home Thursday from a stint at Fort Eustis, Va., where she was treating soldiers wounded in combat. Agosto, 43, is an emergency room nurse and single mother of three.

Deputies charged Duncan with burglary of a dwelling, felony criminal mischief and grand theft. Deputies said they recovered the items stolen from the Wesley Chapel home. Several more arrests are likely on this case, Doll said.

One of the suspects is younger than 10, he said. He will likely not be arrested, but have charges referred to the State Attorney's Office, Doll said.

Agosto said she didn't think the suspects would be youths and still wants to make sure an adult wasn't behind the crime.

"I just would like to find out everyone involved in the case and to make them accountable for their actions. I teach my kids that every action has a consequence, and that's what I expect from these children," Agosto said.

Inside the home, pink paint was splattered on the walls, television, floors, furniture and ceiling. Some portions of walls had been burned, deputies said.

There was human feces and urine on the family's beds, they said.

Her 3-year-old daughter Olivia's toys had been crushed or were missing, and family pictures, including a sonogram image of Olivia, had been destroyed.

Laptop computers, video games and a video camera were also stolen.

The home's newly repainted exterior was untouched. Many of her belongings were tossed into a pond behind her home, she said.

Agosto said she's had an outpouring of help and hugs from the community. Workers are still cleaning the home and don't know when the space will be livable again.

She has decided to let a single mother live rent-free in her home until she can get back on her feet.

Agosto said she'll try to remain in Virginia for another year or so.

"My soldiers needed me here," she said.

Tribune reporter Ray Reyes contributed to this report.

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