A domestic dispute in Largo turned bizarre on Monday when, according to police, a Clearwater woman allegedly launched a bag of Goldfish crackers at her 70-year-old fiancé before hitting him with her hands and feet. The man suffered a laceration to his right bicep, police records state. Authorities say the confrontation began after the victim tried to evict the woman from the home they share.
According to Tampa Bay 28, which cites a Pinellas County arrest affidavit, 61-year-old Susan Spivey grabbed two bags of cheddar-flavored Goldfish crackers the victim had in his possession, then threw the snacks and a bottle of water at him before striking him with her hands and feet. The affidavit states that Spivey was charged with battery on a person 65 years of age or older and notes that she and the victim, who live together, were engaged to be married.
Florida Law Turns Senior Battery Cases Into Felonies
Under Florida law, battery against a person 65 or older is often treated more harshly than a standard simple battery charge. As outlined by the Florida Legislature's Online Sunshine, F.S. 784.08 reclassifies certain assault and battery offenses when the victim is an older adult, and prosecutors can pursue the elder-victim enhancement even if the defendant did not know the victim's age. A third-degree felony carries a potential maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 under F.S. 775.082.
Tampa Bay 28's report did not include information on bond or a scheduled court date for Spivey, and it did not reference local court records. For the arrest and affidavit details, see Tampa Bay 28.
