Two Adults Charged with Poisoning Teens With Alcohol
The Platte County Prosecutor’s office has filed felony charges against a Platte County mother and another woman for providing alcohol to several 13- and 14-year old girls at a 14th birthday party.
Karen Christine Downs, 43, and Kelsee Guest, 25, both of Kansas City, were charged March 30 with first degree child endangerment for allegedly providing vodka for the girls, two of whom were ultimately hospitalized for possible alcohol poisoning.
Downs allegedly offered $10 to whoever could chug a glass of vodka fastest, while Guest allegedly poured shots for the girls.
According to court documents, two girls who attended, ages 13 and 14, passed out and were later taken to the hospital. One of the girls had a blood alcohol content of .218, nearly three times the legal limit.
“We continue to work to educate teenagers and adults about the dangerous effects of teen drinking. But understand this: it is a crime to give alcohol to somebody’s child. And any adult who creates a substantial risk to the life, body, or health of a child can face felony charges,” Zahnd said at a press conference with Kansas City Police Chief Jim Corwin and and Vicky Ward, a representative of the Northland Coalition to reduce underage drinking present.
Court documents allege that at about 2:04 a.m. on February 22, Kansas City Police Officers were dispatched to 1615 NW 55th Terrace regarding a loud party.
When officers arrived, they found six 13- or 14-year old girls. Statements from several of the girls indicate they had been drinking heavily. One girl was unconscious and transported to the hospital. Her blood alcohol content was later determined to be .218. Another girl was also hospitalized, as officers believed she was suffering from alcohol poisoning.
Officers found 60-70 empty beer bottles and several empty bottles of bourbon, vodka, and whiskey scattered throughout the basement of the residence.
Corwin said, “This was a very serious and dangerous situation. We are fortunate we are not standing here discussing a homicide.”
According to the girls’ statements, Downs offered shots to the girls, but told the girls they could not tell their parents about it.
When they ran out of alcohol, Guest asked the girls if they had money to buy another bottle of vodka. Downs, Guest, and one of the girls bought more vodka. One of the girls said she had beer and 9 or 10 shots of vodka.
Ward is the Manager of Prevention Services for Tri-County Mental Health Services Inc. and coordinates the Northland Coalition, a community group that works to reduce teen drinking.
“Tri-County Mental Health Services has worked with community-based coalitions for almost 16 years to try to prevent the type of behavior alleged in this incident,” Ward said. “The Northland Coalition, the umbrella organization for our grass-roots prevention initiative, was instrumental in helping to pass local and state laws, including social host party laws. I would like to think that the outrageous actions alleged in this case will be viewed by responsible adults as totally unacceptable. The legal drinking age of 21 is not based on responsibility or maturity but strictly by the biological rationale. Simply put, the brain is not fully developed until well over the age of 21—with addiction happening much quicker for an adolescent.”
Downs is being held in lieu of a $25,000 cash bond; Guest is being held in lieu of a $20,000 bond. If convicted, they face up to seven years in prison.
The case is being investigated by the Kansas City Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Joe Vanover. The charges against Downs and Guest are merely accusations, and Downs and Guest are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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