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September 13, 2007

Mass. man charged in teen's alcohol-related death

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — An Easthampton man accused of giving alcohol to a teen girl who later died is charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Timothy Parent pleaded innocent at his arraignment Tuesday.

This comes at a time when some Rhode Island officials are looking to strengthen its "social-host" law, which allows adults to be prosecuted if underage drinking occurs in their household.

Parent accused in the February alcohol poisoning death of 15-year-old Alexis Garcia, who was a friend of his daughter.

Garcia’s blood alcohol level at death was between .28 and .33. That’s four times the .08 level at which drivers are considered drunk. The autopsy report said she died from drowning due to submersion and acute alcohol poisoning, according The Republican newspaper of Springfield, Mass.

The 46-year-old Parent is accused of providing the alcohol to Garcia and six other teens.

Parent was released on personal recognizance.

A prosecutor says it’s believed to be the first time in state history an adult has been charged with causing a minor’s death by providing alcohol, and the case didn’t involve a motor vehicle accident.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 7:31 AM | Permalink

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