A Buffalo woman will spend the next three years on probation after admitting she drove a group of children to a popular Delaware Park restaurant last fall, where they caused thousands of dollars in damage.
Stacy Matthews, 40, was sentenced Thursday in Buffalo City Court following her guilty plea earlier this year to fourth-degree criminal mischief and endangering the welfare of a child, according to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.
What Happened at The Terrace
Prosecutors say the incident took place on October 16, 2025, around 12:30 a.m., when Matthews drove six children between the ages of 10 and 16 to The Terrace at Delaware Park, a restaurant located on Lincoln Parkway.
Once there, the children vandalized outdoor furniture and smashed windows, causing an estimated $2,000 in damage.
Surveillance footage captured the destruction, and one of the restaurant’s co-owners previously described watching the children toss furniture into the lake while laughing and encouraging each other before throwing a rock through a window.
The children were reportedly under Matthews’ care and custody at the time. According to the District Attorney’s Office, she failed to exercise reasonable control over them and prevent them from breaking the law.
This was not an isolated case. Police had also connected Matthews to other incidents over the summer months, including damage to five vehicles on Dearborn Street in August and a separate episode involving trash scattered at a Tops Friendly Markets location on Elmwood Avenue.
Sentencing and Restitution
As part of her plea agreement, Matthews signed a Confession of Judgment requiring her to pay the full $2,000 in restitution to the property owner. She had faced a maximum of 364 days in jail but was ultimately spared incarceration in favor of probation.
A stay-away order of protection was also issued Thursday on behalf of the restaurant’s owner, meaning Matthews is barred from returning to the property during her probationary period.
The case has drawn a strong reaction from the community, with many questioning why harsher consequences, such as mandatory community service or parenting classes, were not included as part of her sentence. Others have raised concerns about accountability for the juveniles involved, who ranged in age from 10 to 16.
The Erie County District Attorney’s Office has not indicated whether any of the children involved will face separate consequences through the juvenile justice system.
For now, Matthews will remain under court supervision for the next three years as she works to pay off her restitution and comply with the terms of her probation.
