Federal lawsuit filed in case of Florida boys lost at sea

Austin Stephanos, Perry Cohen vanished in 2015

ORLANDO, Fla. – A federal lawsuit has been filed in the case of two missing Florida teens, lost at sea nearly two years ago. 

Austin Stephanos and Perry Cohen left for a fishing trip near Jupiter Inlet in July 2015 and never returned. 

Stephanos' mother, Carly Black, filed the lawsuit in federal court. 

It comes after investigators found probable cause to charge Black with child neglect for allowing the teens to go fishing alone. 

According to the lawsuit, Black is asking a judge to limit any future civil liabilities against her to $500, which is the value of the boat. 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission concluded the teens' boat capsized because of bad weather, but said there were several other factors that contributed to the tragedy. 

 

 


About the Author:

Cathleigh is a newscast producer and has been with News 6 since 2014. She graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in communications, with a focus in broadcast journalism. Cathleigh produces the 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. newscasts.

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