Father, son post bail after underage drinking party

EAST GOSHEN TWP., Pa. - March 18, 2013 (WPVI) -- Police say a classic home in a quiet classic suburb was turned into something else Saturday.

It was the scene of a wild teenage drinking party, police claim. When they arrived they allegedly found evidence of drug use as well.

Their report says a total of 19 kids under the age of 21 were found inside and outside the home, and that all had been drinking illegally.

Neighbors are still complaining about the empty beer cans strewn along the 1600 block of Bow Tree Drive. The night ended up with the homeowner, 46-year-old Raymond Bonnett, being arrested along with his 18-year-old son Elliott, the party's teenage host.

The dad, police say, was home during the illicit goings-on. A longtime neighbor says Ray Bonnett is a good guy, a single parent who appears to be raising his two boys to do what's right.

"All indications are he's done a wonderful job with those kids," Robert Fanning told Action News. "He works hard every day, and we've known him since they've lived here. Never expected anything to be a problem."

It was a tip call and complaints from neighbors that brought police here at 11:17 p.m. Saturday.

Arriving officers found several vehicles parked nearby and young people who appeared to be under the age of 18 outside holding beer bottles.

When police approached the house, two of the teens ran back inside while one remained outside. A closer look inside revealed a number of young people drinking what appeared to be alcoholic beverages, and one individual, later identified as Elliott Bonnett, told officers to leave the property.

Several parents arrived on the scene and complained to officers that their teenage children were inside the home and not responding to phone calls. It was also during this time that police determined that Raymond Bonnett was home and present during the underage drinking party.

After police attempted to contact the elder Bonnett without success and with concerned parents now waiting outside the house, officers made entry to the home.

Once inside, police went into the basement where they found a teenager unconscious and covered in vomit. Officers then called for medics who treated the juvenile at the scene.

A total of 19 individuals under the age of age of 21 were inside the home and, police say, all had consumed some alcohol. Of the 19 under age individuals, 17 were under the age of 18 - the youngest being just 14-years-old.

The teenagers were issued a citation for underage drinking and parents were then contacted to take custody of their children.

The Bonnetts, father and son, were free Monday afternoon after posting $20,000 bail. They were charged with two counts of felony interference with the custody of children, 16 counts of endangering the welfare of children, 16 counts of corruption of minors, and 18 counts of selling or furnishing liquor to minors.

"There's no question that the neighborhood is a little perplexed about the situation and we can just only hope for the best for the family and they get themselves through this tough time," said Fanning.

No one answered when Action News knocked on the Bonnetts' door Monday afternoon. Their next court date is set for March 27th.

Get more Local/State »

chester county, pennsylvania, alcohol, underage drinking, local/state

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•