CASE UPDATES

Update 5/12/2026: The Status Conference scheduled for June 3, 2026 is a routine progress check — not a trial or new sentencing hearing. As part of the Veterans Diversion Program, Cayden Lemay must appear before Judge Don Barbee Jr. regularly so the court can evaluate whether he is complying with his structured treatment requirements. These check-ins happen every few weeks at first, then shift to monthly as he advances through the program. No new verdict or charges will come from this hearing.

What this means for justice: Lemay accepted a plea deal resulting in three years probation and a $150 fine for stomping a 12-week-old kitten to death. While he is currently prohibited from owning, fostering, or living with animals during his probation, that restriction does not automatically continue after his release. That is why this petition remains open and your signatures still matter. We are continuing to demand that the animal ban be made permanent  because a man who stomped a kitten to death in front of his girlfriend should never be allowed near an animal again, not just for three years. We will keep you informed as this case develops.

Update 5/08/2026: Next Status Conference scheduled for 6/03/2026 at 2:00 p.m. Judge Don Barbee, Jr. Presiding. Defendant Cayden LeMay, Court Case #272025CF001908CFAXMX

Update 4/21/2026: Next status hearing scheduled for 05/06/2026 at 2:00 p.m. Cayden Lemay, Judge Don Barbee presiding. Case #272025CF001908CFAXMX. The owner of the kitten, who was seen as the victim, has requested that contact be re-established with defendant. At her request, Judge granted the request.

Update 4/07/2026: Next Status Conference for Defendant Cayden Lemay is scheduled for 04/08/2026 at 2:00 p.m. E.S.T. Judge Don Barbee presiding. Case #272025CF001908CFAXMX

Update 3/3/2026: We received clarification from Prosecutor Candace Eccles regarding Cayden Lemay’s entry into the Veterans Diversion Program. Here is what supporters need to know:

• Lemay is NOT being sued in civil small claims court.
• The March 11, 2026, hearing is a “status hearing,” the first of many required court appearances as part of the diversion program.

How the program works:

• Lemay will attend hearings every 2–3 weeks at the beginning of the program.
• Each hearing evaluates his progress through structured treatment phases.
• If he successfully completes each phase, he may be considered for release after one year.
• As he advances to higher phases, hearings may shift to once per month and may be attended via Zoom rather than in person.

According to the prosecutor, the Veterans Diversion Program is intensive and high maintenance. Its focus is on addressing the underlying causes of his violent behavior and providing structured treatment.

Important condition:

• During probation, he is prohibited from owning, fostering, transporting, being near, or living in a home with animals.
• This restriction does NOT automatically continue after his release.

We will continue monitoring developments closely and will keep supporters informed.

Update 2/26/2026: Cayden Lemay has an additional hearing scheduled on 03-11-2026 at 2:00 p.m. We believe that Lemay is being sued in civil small claims court. Animal Victory has called the prosecutor for more information about the upcoming hearing.

Update 2/17/2026: Cayden Lemay has accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to three years’ probation for both charges – battery. and cruelty to animals causing death, pain, or suffering and a fine of $150. His probation includes no contact with animals. His next hearing is 02/25/2025 as a status hearing to go over probation requirements. 

Update 1/22/2026: The next Case Event for Cayden Lemay is an Arrest Paperwork hearing scheduled for 1/28/2026 at 2:00 p.m. 

Update 1/7/2026: Cayden Lemay’s next court appearance is 01/15/2026 at 2:00 p.m. E.S.T., The Judge in this case has changed. New Judge is Don Barbee, Jr.

Hernando County OCRS Cayden Lemay