Mother charged with allowing underage drinking after daughter calls police

SOUTH HAVEN, Ind. (WLS) -- A South Haven, Ind. mother has been charged with allowing underage drinking at her home - that was reported by her younger daughter.

Police said six teenagers ages 13-18 had been drinking with blood alcohol levels as high as .15 last Friday while Jennifer Boone, the mother of one of the teens, was in the house.

"When you're talking about girls and boys that young consuming alcohol, probably hard alcohol like vodka and things like that, you could have some health issues," said Sgt. Larry LaFlower, Porter County Sheriff's Department.

But it was a younger daughter, a ten-year-old, who was at home and texted her father for help. Her father called police for a well-being check and to report underage drinking at the house.

"She told our officers the reason that she texted her father because she was scared. She was scared for what was going on," LaFlower said. "So you've got to give her kudos for having the courage to go ahead and call police."

Boone was home Wednesday but declined to comment. She was arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor and neglect of a dependent. She also faces charges for assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.

"Well actually I think it's terrible, there is so much underage drinking and drugs," said Sharlene Vukovich, a neighbor.

Some of Boone's neighbors said there are often teens at the house and are sorry hear that it was a 10-year-old who called for help.

"She was very wise in doing that and chose the right step to do," said Cheryl Sanchez, a neighbor. "I have a nine-year-old and that's what I would want him to do if he was at someone's house and something like that was going on."

Although there were seven teens found at the home, five were charged as juveniles, police said.