Families Sue Shelton Parents Accused Of Hosting Underage Party: Report

SHELTON, CT — The families of two teens involved in reported fights the night James McGrath, 17, was fatally stabbed are suing a Shelton couple accused of hosting an underage party at their home the night of the incident, according to media reports.

According to police, Paul and Susanna Leifer were arrested back in March on charges of permitting minors to possess alcohol, while Susanna Leifer was also charged with second-degree reckless endangerment.

Their arrests stemmed from a party held May 14, 2022, at the couple's Lazy Brook Drive home, during which a fight broke out. After the event was dispersed, some of the attendees who left the party got into a fight at another residence in town, during which McGrath was stabbed to death, according to police.

The Connecticut Post reports the father of one of the teens involved in the reported fights has filed a lawsuit against the Leifers claiming his son was thrown to the ground, beaten, kicked, choked, hit in the head with a motorcycle helmet and fractured his nose in the couple's driveway.

The lawsuit also claims Susanna Leifer witnessed the incident and/or its immediate aftermath but did not report it or restrain the underaged intoxicated guests in any way. The family of a second teen who was stabbed at a separate party later that night also filed a lawsuit against the couple, CT Post reports.

McGrath's father, Kevin, filed a lawsuit against the Leifers in June claiming the couple was aware juveniles had been drinking at their home and a fight had broke out among teens at the party but did not report it to the police or keep the teens from leaving their home, WTNH News 8 reports.

According to Fox 61, the lawsuit filed by Kevin McGrath accuses the Leifers of negligence, host liability and common law recklessness.

According to an arrest warrant application, McGrath, a Shelton resident and student at Fairfield College Preparatory School, was stabbed outside a house party with over 50 teens in attendance on Laurel Glen Drive late on May 14, 2022.

See also: Parents Accused Of Hosting Underage Party At Shelton Home: Police

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• Warrant Details Police Investigation Of Jimmy McGrath's Stabbing Death
• 'This Is A Day To Celebrate Jimmy's Life,' Slain Teen's Dad Says
• St. Joseph Student Accused Of Fatally Stabbing James McGrath, 17

Raul Eliah Valle, a Milford teen who was 16 at the time of his arrest and is accused of fatally stabbing McGrath, was arrested days after the incident and later released after posting a $2 million bond.

He has been charged with murder and three counts of first-degree assault, according to police.

Read the full Connecticut Post story here.