13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Teacher cited in connection with underage drinking party
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Johnson County - A teacher who allowed several underage kids to drink and party at her house will not face serious charges. Two of the teens found by police at her house tested over the legal limit for alcohol intoxication.
Johnson County Prosecutor Brad Cooper filed alcohol-related charges against private school teacher Jennifer Devine.
"That's the law I have to enforce," said Cooper.
The charges center around what happened during an alleged drinking party here at their home.
The Devines live in Prince's Lake in Johnson County. Sources say she teaches fifth grade at Holy Cross School in Indianapolis.
According to investigators the mother refused to provide alcohol to her teen daughter's friends, but allowed them to bring their own to the house.
"The evidence is here they brought their own alcohol with them," said Cooper.
Jennifer Devine received a citation. Indiana law states that a person who intentionally aids a minor to unlawfully possess alcoholic commits a Class C Infraction.
Investigators learned about the drinking party after two of the teens crashed on State Road 44 in Shelby County. They reportedly found their car keys that police say Devine told them she hid to keep them from driving drunk.
Investigators say 18-year-old Ashley Ellis and 19-year-old Ashley Adams both registered a .018.
Matthew Folley, 19, and Chelsea Giles, 20, had a .002, and 20-year-old Kurtis Jones' BAC registered .008.
"The kids are charged with possession of alcohol and have to go to court to face those charges," Cooper said.
Cooper hopes it sends a message that under-aged drinking won't be tolerated supervised by a parent or otherwise.
The mother and private school teacher will eventually go to Franklin City Court to defend herself on the infraction charge, as will five of the nine teenagers at the alleged drinking party.
The principal at Holy Cross School did not return our telephone calls. There is no word if Devine will face discipline or punishment from the school.
The infraction fine for Devine carries a maximum $500 fine and court cost.
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