A man was arrested after being accused of allowing a 12-year-old girl to drive his SUV in Jupiter, Florida. Despite not being related to the girl, Shaun Michaelsen, 41, encouraged her to drive up to speeds of 85 mph and bought her vape pens in an effort to be a “cool father.”
Michaelsen is currently facing felony charges after an officer pulled over his speeding SUV to find the 12-year-old girl in the driver’s seat, according to the police report.
On Monday, an officer noticed the vehicle making an illegal U-turn and speeding away. While pursuing the vehicle, officer Craig Yochum said the vehicle reached speeds of 85 mph in a 45 mph zone before he was able to pull it over. When Yochum asked the girl why she was speeding, she said Michaelsen told her to.
Michaelsen allegedly told officers he had been drinking prior to the incident. He also told police that he was friends with the girl’s mother and that the girl and her friend were staying with him for a few days.
The police report said that Michaelsen claimed the girl had asked to drive his Jeep, and he agreed because he thought “it would be cool.” Michaelsen also stated that the girls asked him to buy them vape pens.
ABC News reports that Michaelsen is charged with child neglect, allowing an unauthorized person to drive, and causing a minor to become a delinquent for buying the girls vape pens.
As of Tuesday, he was being held without bond at the Palm Beach County Jail.
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Independent: Florida man arrested for encouraging 12-year-old to drive his SUV at 85mph, police say
ABC News: Police: Florida man lets 12-year-old drive Jeep 85 mph