PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – A teen and her mother who were stabbed by her ex-boyfriend outside a Ponte Vedra Beach restaurant have filed a lawsuit against their attacker, his parents, and the restaurant claiming damages and negligent security.
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Madison Schemitz and her mother Jaclyn Roge were stabbed multiple times by Schemitz’s ex-boyfriend, Spencer Pearson outside Mr. Chubby’s Wings in Ponte Vedra Beach in June 2023.
The attack left then-17-year-old Madison Schemitz partially paralyzed, but her remarkable recovery had her walking across the stage at her graduation just under a year later.
Pearson was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison on Friday.
The lawsuit filed by Schemitz and Roge said that Pearson’s parents knew that he had an “unsound mind” and took him to be treated for a mental health crisis days before the attack. Roge also talked with Pearson’s parents about concerns and reports of his behavior.
The suit said his parents gave him a large knife, which was used in the attack, even though he had a history of homicidal and suicidal thoughts.
They claimed Pearson having the knife violates Florida Statute 790.17, which prohibits giving knives other than a pocket knife to a minor and a person with an unsound mind.
The suit claims Mr. Chubby’s Wings “failed to provide adequate security for its employees and customers...” citing previous criminal or violent acts that happened at or near the restaurant.
Pearson is also being sued for causing emotional distress to Schemitz and Roge by “stalking, harassing, threatening and striking fear” into them.
Read the full lawsuit below: