HOUSTON – A woman has been charged after providing alcohol to minors, deputies said.
Deputies with Precinct 8 Constable Phil Sandlin's Office were dispatched before 11 p.m. Thursday to the 4300 block of Pine Blossom Trail in Houston for a complaint of loud noise and reports of juveniles consuming alcohol in the front yard of a home.
Deputies said several juveniles were seen in the yard and all ran inside the home upon seeing the deputies.
As the juveniles entered, they left the front door to the home open, deputies said. Deputies observed the sole adult occupant of the home, identified as Sujata Parikh, 47, telling the juveniles to hide.
Deputies said they could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from within the home as they approached the open door.
Parikh initially denied the deputies access when they attempted to check the welfare of the juveniles, but ultimately gave them consent to enter, authorities said.
Deputies observed 50 juveniles in the home, many hiding behind furniture and even in the attic of the home. Deputies said one of the juveniles fell through the second floor drywall ceiling from the attic in an attempt to hide.
Deputies saw open containers of beer and liquor throughout the second floor of the house, as well as "beer pong" tables set up, deputies said.
Deputies found a handwritten note of "house rules" that Parikh admitted she wrote. Deputies said the rules included such things as, "do not drink so much that you cannot walk," "no social media" and "beer pong with water drinks on the side."
The juveniles were evaluated for signs of intoxication. Deputies said 17 juveniles were determined to have consumed alcohol provided by Parikh.
The juveniles, most were 15 and 16 years old, were ultimately released to the custody of their parents or guardians, deputies said.
Deputies said Constable Sandlin and Precinct 8 "have zero tolerance for this type of behavior and work tirelessly to combat underage substance abuse. We hope parents view this case as a wake-up call and realize there are adults, even other parents, who will violate their trust and do these types of things."
Parikh was arrested and charged with furnishing alcohol to minors, a Class A misdemeanor. Deputies said she was booked into the Harris County Jail, where she was being held in lieu of a $1,000 bond.