Topline: Officials allege she teamed up with family to carry out the late-night tampon toss.
Published: October 9, 2025 8:00 am ET
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Gabrielle Franze (via Volusia County Jail)
An Orange County firefighter is facing misdemeanor stalking charges after authorities say she threw over 100 red-stained tampons onto her ex-boyfriend’s lawn in Volusia County — an act that was partially caught on camera and later admitted to under questioning.
According to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the man’s home on September 30 after he and his new partner returned to find the front yard littered with dozens of opened tampons.
The arrest affidavit obtained by ClickOrlando.com described the scene as containing “approximately 75 opened tampons… stained red as if they were possibly used.”
The couple, whose identities have not been publicly released, told deputies they reviewed home security footage from the night before and spotted a dark-colored pickup truck slowly circling the area before returning. The video reportedly showed someone in the truck’s bed throwing the tampons into the yard, followed by a woman on foot tossing more items across the lawn. As reported by Fox 35 Orlando, the vehicle appeared to deliberately wait until no other cars were around before executing the drop.
The couple suspected 28-year-old Gabrielle Franze — a firefighter/paramedic with Orange County Fire Rescue — based on her past behavior and public remarks.
According to Fox 35 Orlando, Franze had allegedly made negative social media posts about the couple and was known to drive a similar truck.
When deputies first questioned Franze, she claimed she didn’t know where her ex lived and denied being near the property. But according to WFTV, license plate reader data placed her vehicle in the area at the time of the incident. Confronted with that evidence, Franze revised her statement, acknowledging she had been there but claimed the idea came from her mother and aunt, who were visiting from out of state.
“Gabrielle said her mother and aunt… came over to visit,” deputies wrote in the affidavit. “During this visit, a plan hatched to throw tampons onto (the couple’s) yard.”
Despite the attempt to shift blame, authorities found Franze to be the primary aggressor. Jail officials, as reported by ClickOrlando.com, later alleged she drove to the home with her mother and aunt and took part in throwing more than 100 “bloodied tampons” into the yard and driveway. The items were described as red-painted or red-stained in various reports.
Franze was taken into custody on Friday, October 4, and charged with two counts of misdemeanor stalking. She was released later that same day on bond. As confirmed by the Orange County Fire Rescue Department and reported by Fox 35, she has since been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
A pre-determination hearing and a formal court appearance are expected to determine Franze’s employment status with the department. According to WFTV, she has served with Orange County Fire Rescue since November 2019 and had previously been recognized as a decorated firefighter.
No further criminal charges have been filed against other individuals at this time.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Firefighter Arrested After Dumping Nearly 100 ‘Stained Red’ Tampons on Ex’s Lawn
Officials allege she teamed up with family to carry out the late-night tampon toss.
By Jacob Charles
Published: October 9, 2025 8:00 am ET
Gabrielle Franze (via Volusia County Jail)
An Orange County firefighter is facing misdemeanor stalking charges after authorities say she threw over 100 red-stained tampons onto her ex-boyfriend’s lawn in Volusia County — an act that was partially caught on camera and later admitted to under questioning.
According to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the man’s home on September 30 after he and his new partner returned to find the front yard littered with dozens of opened tampons.
The arrest affidavit obtained by ClickOrlando.com described the scene as containing “approximately 75 opened tampons… stained red as if they were possibly used.”
The couple, whose identities have not been publicly released, told deputies they reviewed home security footage from the night before and spotted a dark-colored pickup truck slowly circling the area before returning. The video reportedly showed someone in the truck’s bed throwing the tampons into the yard, followed by a woman on foot tossing more items across the lawn. As reported by Fox 35 Orlando, the vehicle appeared to deliberately wait until no other cars were around before executing the drop.
The couple suspected 28-year-old Gabrielle Franze — a firefighter/paramedic with Orange County Fire Rescue — based on her past behavior and public remarks.
According to Fox 35 Orlando, Franze had allegedly made negative social media posts about the couple and was known to drive a similar truck.
When deputies first questioned Franze, she claimed she didn’t know where her ex lived and denied being near the property. But according to WFTV, license plate reader data placed her vehicle in the area at the time of the incident. Confronted with that evidence, Franze revised her statement, acknowledging she had been there but claimed the idea came from her mother and aunt, who were visiting from out of state.
“Gabrielle said her mother and aunt… came over to visit,” deputies wrote in the affidavit. “During this visit, a plan hatched to throw tampons onto (the couple’s) yard.”
Despite the attempt to shift blame, authorities found Franze to be the primary aggressor. Jail officials, as reported by ClickOrlando.com, later alleged she drove to the home with her mother and aunt and took part in throwing more than 100 “bloodied tampons” into the yard and driveway. The items were described as red-painted or red-stained in various reports.
Franze was taken into custody on Friday, October 4, and charged with two counts of misdemeanor stalking. She was released later that same day on bond. As confirmed by the Orange County Fire Rescue Department and reported by Fox 35, she has since been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
A pre-determination hearing and a formal court appearance are expected to determine Franze’s employment status with the department. According to WFTV, she has served with Orange County Fire Rescue since November 2019 and had previously been recognized as a decorated firefighter.
No further criminal charges have been filed against other individuals at this time.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Firefighter Arrested After Dumping Nearly 100 ‘Stained Red’ Tampons on Ex’s Lawn
Officials allege she teamed up with family to carry out the late-night tampon toss.
By Jacob Charles
Published: October 9, 2025 8:00 am ET
Gabrielle Franze (via Volusia County Jail)
An Orange County firefighter is facing misdemeanor stalking charges after authorities say she threw over 100 red-stained tampons onto her ex-boyfriend’s lawn in Volusia County — an act that was partially caught on camera and later admitted to under questioning.
According to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the man’s home on September 30 after he and his new partner returned to find the front yard littered with dozens of opened tampons.
The arrest affidavit obtained by ClickOrlando.com described the scene as containing “approximately 75 opened tampons… stained red as if they were possibly used.”
The couple, whose identities have not been publicly released, told deputies they reviewed home security footage from the night before and spotted a dark-colored pickup truck slowly circling the area before returning. The video reportedly showed someone in the truck’s bed throwing the tampons into the yard, followed by a woman on foot tossing more items across the lawn. As reported by Fox 35 Orlando, the vehicle appeared to deliberately wait until no other cars were around before executing the drop.
The couple suspected 28-year-old Gabrielle Franze — a firefighter/paramedic with Orange County Fire Rescue — based on her past behavior and public remarks.
According to Fox 35 Orlando, Franze had allegedly made negative social media posts about the couple and was known to drive a similar truck.
When deputies first questioned Franze, she claimed she didn’t know where her ex lived and denied being near the property. But according to WFTV, license plate reader data placed her vehicle in the area at the time of the incident. Confronted with that evidence, Franze revised her statement, acknowledging she had been there but claimed the idea came from her mother and aunt, who were visiting from out of state.
“Gabrielle said her mother and aunt… came over to visit,” deputies wrote in the affidavit. “During this visit, a plan hatched to throw tampons onto (the couple’s) yard.”
Despite the attempt to shift blame, authorities found Franze to be the primary aggressor. Jail officials, as reported by ClickOrlando.com, later alleged she drove to the home with her mother and aunt and took part in throwing more than 100 “bloodied tampons” into the yard and driveway. The items were described as red-painted or red-stained in various reports.
Franze was taken into custody on Friday, October 4, and charged with two counts of misdemeanor stalking. She was released later that same day on bond. As confirmed by the Orange County Fire Rescue Department and reported by Fox 35, she has since been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
A pre-determination hearing and a formal court appearance are expected to determine Franze’s employment status with the department. According to WFTV, she has served with Orange County Fire Rescue since November 2019 and had previously been recognized as a decorated firefighter.
No further criminal charges have been filed against other individuals at this time.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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