MCLEAN, VA — Newly released police body camera footage shows a McLean homeowner denying that alcohol was present at a party for her 13-year-old child as Fairfax County police officers describe the smell of liquor and intoxicated teenagers walking through the neighborhood.
The video, released Friday night by the Fairfax County Police Department, shows officers speaking with Lisa Vaughan, 45, outside her home in the 1400 block of Woodacre Drive as a large crowd of teenagers gathers in the front yard. During the encounter, fireworks explode nearby, prompting officers to begin dispersing the crowd and request medical personnel as a precaution.
Vaughan and her husband, Aubrey Vaughan, 55, were charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and maintaining a common nuisance following the Nov. 6 gathering, which police said attracted between 100 and 300 people.
In the newly released footage, Lisa Vaughan tells officers that alcohol was not being allowed at the gathering.
"I'm not joking. No, we haven't had. No, we haven't had any alcohol," she says, according to a transcript of the video.
When an officer questions her statement, Vaughan repeats her denial.
"No, no, I'm not joking. We've been making sure there's no backpacks, no alcohol," she says.
Another officer challenges that account, asking whether she can smell alcohol in the area.
"You don't smell it in the air right now," the officer says.
A second officer then describes what police are encountering.
"It reeks like liquor. We got drunk kids walking everywhere," the officer says.
The exchange provides a new glimpse into the circumstances officers encountered when they arrived at the McLean residence after multiple 911 callers reported that a large party had gotten out of control.
The footage captures Vaughan's denial that alcohol was present and officers' observations at the scene. It does not, by itself, establish who supplied any alcohol or whether the homeowners knew teenagers were drinking.
The footage also shows teenagers gathered outside the residence when a loud explosion is heard as fireworks are discharged nearby.
Following the disturbance, an officer directs others to begin clearing the area.
"So let's start work on getting everybody out," the officer says.
The officer also calls for medical personnel to respond as a precaution.
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"Medics, just in case," the officer says.
As officers approach the teenagers and begin dispersing the gathering, one can be heard telling people to "Go home."
The video does not establish that anyone was injured or required medical treatment.
According to a Fairfax County Police Department news release from Friday, officers responded to the residence around 9 p.m. Nov. 6 after receiving multiple reports about the gathering.
Police said officers encountered a large crowd and fireworks being discharged when they arrived. They worked to restore order and disperse those at the property.
The video's release followed comments earlier Friday by Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis, who discussed the McLean incident during a news briefing at the county's public safety headquarters.
Davis acknowledged that parents sometimes struggle with whether to let their children attend parties elsewhere or host gatherings at home where they can supervise them.
"The key to all that is not having alcohol, drugs, and other nefarious contraband present," Davis said. "That's easier said than done."
Davis said he supports parents who want to provide safe environments for their children to socialize but warned that large gatherings involving alcohol or drugs can quickly become dangerous.
He suggested that police could work with Fairfax County Public Schools, school resource officers and the department's public affairs staff on additional messaging about the risks of hosting parties for teenagers.
"A good intention can result in disastrous consequences if you don't think through every aspect of your decision," Davis said.
During the briefing, Davis was also asked about the age of the child for whom the Vaughans had organized the party. After initially saying he was unsure, he was told the child was 13.
Investigators determined that Lisa and Aubrey Vaughan organized the party for their teenage child, according to police.
Both homeowners subsequently turned themselves in at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and were released on $1,000 unsecured bonds each.
Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court records show that each faces two Class 1 misdemeanor charges.
The contributing to the delinquency of a minor charges were filed under Virginia Code Section 18.2-371, while the maintaining a common nuisance charges were filed under Section 4.1-317.
Court records list Nov. 7 as the arrest date for both defendants, with the charges formally filed Nov. 9.
Both homeowners are scheduled for arraignments by the clerk at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, in Courtroom 3F. Adjudicatory hearings are scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, in Courtroom 3B.
The court records reviewed did not list attorneys representing either defendant or indicate that pleas had been entered.
Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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