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Police: Woman bought alcohol for teens

Pre-trial hearing set for resident charged with providing it  to Lakota students.

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By Lindsey Hilty, Staff Writer 4:34 PM Tuesday, October 12, 2010

LIBERTY TWP. — A Monroe woman is facing charges for buying alcohol for four Lakota East students.

The teens were charged with underage consumption Sept. 9 by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office after they attended a football game while intoxicated, according to reports.

Administrators found the 17-year-old students to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage after talking to them, the report indicated. The students stated they all put money together and drove to 215 Stillpass Way in Monroe, which is in the Lakota Local School District. Resident Penny Gloeckner, 40, allegedly bought alcohol for them, the report stated.

Gloeckner was charged with four counts for contributing to the delinquency of a child. She appeared in juvenile court Monday, Oct. 11 and made no plea. She was ordered to have no contact with the students, and has a pre-trial set for Oct. 21, according to Rob Clevenger, court administrator.

School Resource Officer Deputy Doug Hale said underage drinking is a growing problem, and he hopes parents and adults are getting the message that they will be held liable for providing or purchasing alcohol for minors.

“I’ve just seen a big increase in (underage drinking) this year,” he said.

This is the first time he said he has been able to catch and charge a parent.

Most important, though, was catching the students before they got in a car to drive somewhere, he said. The students, he said, will have to undergo a drug and alcohol assessment to see if they need counseling and to make them aware of the dangers.

West Chester Police officers also have seen cases of underage consumption this year, but Officer Jeff Newman said the trend usually picks up during spring break and prom.

People who provide alcohol to minors face a maximum of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, he said. They also can be held liable for whatever happens while that minor is under the influence.

Newman said law enforcement officers are working with the Butler County Coalition for Healthy, Safe, and Drug-Free Communities to continue to educate people on the issue of parents who host and to prevent teens from abusing drugs and alcohol.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5067 or lhilty@coxohio.com.

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