Family Outrage Over Suspect’s Release Before Attack

The relatives of a 13-year-old boy who narrowly escaped a deadly throat slash at a Daytona Beach boardwalk on Valentine’s Day are voicing their anger after discovering the attacker had a lengthy criminal history but was still walking free.

Jermaine Lynn Long, identified as a registered sex offender, had been released merely four days before he allegedly assaulted Sullivan Clark, as indicated by prison records.

Moreover, Long was facing potential charges in a January incident where he reportedly assaulted two individuals using a knife and an 8-foot pole. However, prosecutors chose not to move forward with the case, as reported by local sources.

Adding to the alarming situation, Long is believed to have attacked another man with a sledgehammer shortly before the attack on the young boy.

“It’s just unacceptable. It’s shocking to realize he was let out just four days ago. Had he been arrested that day, my son might not have gone through this either,” Sullivan’s father, Jared Clark, shared during an appearance on “The Ingraham Angle” on Wednesday.

Long is a registered sex offender from Nebraska, having been convicted previously for sexually assaulting a minor, along with convictions for petty theft and drug possession.

Sullivan was walking and chatting on his phone with his parents when the attack suddenly happened.

“Out of nowhere, he came up behind me with what looked like a box cutter and slashed my neck… I turned my head just in time. He narrowly missed my throat,” Sullivan recounted, pointing to the front of his neck, “and thankfully avoided my carotid artery too.”

Doctors informed the family that if the cut had been a mere millimeter deeper, it could have been fatal. Sullivan ended up with 13 stitches.

Currently, Long faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and is being held on a $50,000 bond, according to Volusia County Jail records.

Sullivan’s mother, Lori Clark, is urging law enforcement to take more action.

“It’s just hard to believe he was out on the streets. He’s slipped through the cracks so many times. We know Florida can do better, and we need to ensure this dangerous individual is removed for good,” she emphasized.

She also noted that since the ordeal, Sullivan has been experiencing nightmares, while his 11-year-old brother, who witnessed the attack, may also be struggling with the trauma from the incident.