A Virginia couple say they wanted to give their 13-year-old sons a safe place to spend time with a few classmates. Instead, their backyard gathering grew into a party attended by hundreds of teenagers, with fireworks and police arriving in the neighborhood.
Lisa Vaughan, 45, and Aubrey Vaughan, 55, face charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and maintaining a common nuisance. Fairfax County police responded to their McLean home on Nov. 6. The couple denies wrongdoing, and their attorney says an invitation meant for 10 to 20 classmates spread to older students.
“There will be no more,” Aubrey Vaughan said of parties for his sons. “We’re done.”
Police said they received several 911 calls at about 9:03 p.m. reporting a party that had gotten out of control. Callers estimated that 100 to 300 people were at the home. Officers found a large crowd, and fireworks were being set off, police said.
Vaughan apologized to neighbors and said he was embarrassed by how quickly the gathering grew. After officers dispersed the crowd, the couple had their sons go door to door to apologize, according to the family’s attorney.
The couple had planned a small gathering for eighth-graders, but the invitation circulated on Snapchat and reached students at a nearby high school, drawing teenagers who had not been invited, their attorney said.
Vaughan said he had “zero idea” high school students would come. He and his wife struggled to keep them out of the backyard and house, he said.
Police described the event as an “underage drinking party.” Vaughan disputed the suggestion that alcohol was allowed, saying the invitation specifically banned alcohol and bags. He said he and his wife were home and supervising throughout the gathering.
He estimated the party lasted about 45 minutes and said he realized it was getting out of hand 10 to 15 minutes before police arrived.
“They wanted to maintain a safe place, free from alcohol, for kids to have a good time, but they had no control about all the kids that arrived and caused chaos in their neighborhood,” attorney Alaric Piette said.
Piette said the couple welcomed officers and offered to let them inspect the party area, but police declined. Both parents later turned themselves in and were released on unsecured bonds of $1,000 each.
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said parents face difficult choices about whether to host teenagers at home or let them socialize elsewhere without supervision. He cautioned that gatherings involving alcohol, drugs or reckless behavior can become dangerous quickly.
“I think it’s universally a bad idea to host anything at a home,” Davis said. He added that parents and other adults need to take responsibility, noting that good intentions can still lead to unintended consequences.
Vaughan said he was grateful to the officers who helped clear the crowd and did not hold anything against them.
“The lesson is just make sure you’re watching Snapchat,” he said.
Police have not announced charges against any teenagers who attended.
