A Virginia couple who hoped to provide a safe place for their 13-year-old sons and a small group of classmates to socialize instead found themselves facing criminal charges after the backyard gathering grew into a sprawling party involving hundreds of teenagers, fireworks and a police response.
Lisa Vaughan, 45, and Aubrey Vaughan, 55, were charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and maintaining a common nuisance after Fairfax County police responded to their McLean home on Nov. 6. The couple says it did nothing wrong. Their attorney maintains that an invitation meant for 10 to 20 classmates spread to older students and drew an unexpected crowd.
“There will be no more,” Aubrey Vaughan told FOX 5 DC, referring to parties for his sons. “We’re done.”
Lisa Vaughan, 45, and Aubrey Vaughan, 55, face charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and maintaining a common nuisance in connection with the party. (Fairfax County Police Department)
Police said they received several 911 calls at about 9:03 p.m. reporting an unruly party. Callers estimated that between 100 and 300 people were at the home. When officers arrived, they found a large crowd and fireworks being set off, according to authorities.
Aubrey Vaughan apologized to neighbors and said he was “embarrassed” by how rapidly the gathering descended into chaos. After police cleared the area, he and his wife reportedly sent their 13-year-old sons door to door to apologize, FOX 5 reported.
Police bodycam footage posted on the department’s social media shows Lisa Vaughan outside her family’s home speaking with officers. (Fairfax County Police Department)
The family’s attorney said the Vaughans had planned a small gathering for eighth-graders. But the invitation was shared on Snapchat and eventually reached students at a nearby high school, bringing uninvited teenagers to the home.
Aubrey Vaughan said he had “zero idea” that high school students would attend. He and his wife struggled to keep the unexpected guests out of the house and backyard, he said.
Police characterized the event as an “underage drinking party,” but Vaughan rejected the claim that alcohol was allowed. He told FOX 5 that the invitation expressly banned alcohol and bags, and said he and his wife remained at home supervising the gathering throughout the evening.
Officers arriving at the home found a large crowd of teenagers and fireworks being set off. (Fairfax County Police Department)
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Vaughan estimated that the incident lasted about 45 minutes. He said he realized the gathering was becoming unmanageable roughly 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,” the couple’s attorney, Alaric Piette, told FOX 5.
Piette said the parents welcomed the officers and offered to let them search the party area, but police declined. Both Vaughans later surrendered to authorities and were released on $1,000 unsecured bonds apiece.
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis recognized the difficult decision parents face when choosing whether to host teenagers at home or allow them to gather elsewhere without adult supervision.
“I think it’s universally a bad idea to host anything at a home,” Davis said, cautioning that large gatherings involving alcohol, drugs or reckless conduct can quickly turn dangerous.
The couple says it is innocent, while their attorney argues that an invitation meant for 10 to 20 classmates spread to older high school students who overwhelmed the gathering. (Fairfax County Police Department)
The chief said that “parents have to be parents” and “adults have to be adults,” warning that even well-intended plans can produce serious unintended consequences.
Vaughan said he appreciated the officers’ efforts to break up the crowd and did not hold the police response against them.
“The lesson is just make sure you’re watching Snapchat,” Vaughan told FOX 5.
Authorities have not announced charges against any of the teenagers who attended the gathering.
