Darien Woman, Teen Daughter Both Cited For Underage Drinking Party: Cops

DARIEN, CT — A 49-year-old Darien woman, and her 19-year-old daughter, were cited on misdemeanor alcohol-related charges Sunday night, June 25, after the daughter hosted an underage drinking party on her birthday at their Goodwives River Road home, according to police.

Acting on an anonymous tip that underage drinking was taking place, police officers were dispatched to the home at about 8:30 p.m.

"Upon arrival, thirteen (13) female subjects between the ages of 17 and 19 were located at the residence," wrote police in a statement. "Nineteen-year-old resident Alexandra Barnard initially told responding officers that she had provided the alcoholic beverages to the others, but then retracted the statement and said that the guests had actually brought it themselves."

Police read several text messages from the girls that "were voluntarily shown to on-scene officers from guests supporting the fact that alcohol was brought to the home by some of the underage females."

One of the texts that a guest showed officers was from Barnard saying that her mother, Lendy Donnelly, was "okay" with the party, according to police.

When questioned by police, Donnelly "denied any knowledge of any underage drinking occurring and stated that did she not permit it."

Officers found "ample evidence of alcohol consumption" at the house, "including open bottles of wine and champagne. Numerous plastic cups and other glasses were observed as well."

The party was disbanded, and "all underage subjects were turned over to a parent or other responsible adult," wrote police.

Sunday night's incident is the latest in a rash of underage drinking parties in Darien in recent weeks.

Barnard was charged with permitting minors to possess alcohol, and Donnelly was charged with failing to halt the possession of alcohol by minors. Both were issued misdemeanor summonses and are scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on July 6.

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