‘Do Better’: Family Slams Law Enforcement After 13-Year-Old Slashed by Repeat Offender

The family of 13-year-old Sullivan Clarke, who survived a near-fatal throat-slashing incident on February 14, said law enforcement can do better. The family expressed outrage after learning the suspect, who has a lengthy criminal record, was out on the streets going about his daily activities. According to jail records, Jermaine Lynn Long, who is a registered offender, was released just four days before the attack on Clarke.

In January, Long allegedly assaulted two men with a knife and an eight-foot pole. Those charges are still pending. Long is also suspected of yet another incident in which he allegedly attacked a man with a sledgehammer. The incident occurred just 20 minutes before the attack on Clarke.

"This is unacceptable. I can't believe he was released just four days ago, and then found out he could have been arrested the same day. My son - we wouldn't have been sitting here," Sullivan's father, Jared Clarke, said in an interview with The Ingraham Angle on February 18.

Lorie Clark, Sullivan's mother, urged authorities to take stronger action. "It is just shocking that he could be out on the streets. He has fallen through the cracks so many times. And we know that the state of Florida can do better and that we are going to put this pervert away forever," she said.

"Clarke has experienced nightmares since the assault," Sullivan's mother added.

When the attack occurred on February 14, Sullivan was walking down a street while speaking on the phone with family members. “He came out of nowhere with a box cutter, just like that behind me and got this side of my neck.. I happened to be turning my head during that time. So he missed this part of my throat,” the 13-year-old boy said while describing the incident.

According to the Volusia County Jail records, Long faces two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He was granted a $50,000 surety bond in this case.

Sullivan Clarke,13, was enjoying an evening on a Florida boardwalk when Jermain Lynn Long allegedly attacked him with a deadly weapon and slit his neck. Parents of the 13-year-old said they were walking by the Slingshot ride when their son was attacked at around 10 p.m.

After the incident, cops responded to a 911 call. When they arrived, they found the victim suffering from a severe laceration to his neck. Paramedics rushed him to the hospital, where he received 13 stitches.

Based on the suspect's description shared by witnesses, officers found the man, Jermain Lynn Long, near Joe's Crab Shack. He allegedly had a box cutter and a silver knife with him. Witnesses also told officers that they saw Long lingering in the vicinity before the attack.