NJ Teacher, Mother Arrested For Alleged Underage Drinking Party At Her Home

EDISON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – A New Jersey mother has been arrested for allegedly hosting an underage drinking party at her home.

As CBS2's Emily Smith reported, the alleged party at 50-year-old Tracey Harding's home, ended with a 15-year-old boy in the hospital.

CBS2 saw Harding approach the door at her Monmouth Junction home, but did not answer.

Police say it all happened Friday night when a frantic mother called 911 because she couldn't get a hold of her son who happened to be at Harding's home.

As WCBS 880's Jim Smith reported, the boy's mother became concerned when she called the home and was told her son was sleeping.

The mother ultimately broke in and found her son lying on the floor unresponsive in Harding's basement, police said. The teen later recovered from an alcohol overdose, CBS2 reported.

Lt. Jim Ryan told WCBS 880 the teen's blood-alcohol level was at a dangerous level that could have caused life-threatening conditions.

"She's charged with child endangerment and faces five years in jail," Lt. Jim Ryan said.

Police are now questioning why Harding didn't call for help.

"She was actually arguing with the other mother. There was a verbal confrontation at that point as to how this could happen," Ryan said.

Harding, who taught first grade at Lincoln Elementary School in Edison, has two sons, one 15 and one 17, Emily Smith reported.

School was not in session Tuesday, but the school district sent a statement saying, "Upon learning of the arrest, the employee was immediately suspended pending further investigation."

"The big thing here for us is that if you host or have an underage drinking party at your house, your liability dramatically goes up, you face criminal penalties, and if one of those people falls into distress and you don't take immediate action, you also face penalties, and that's why Ms. Harding is being charged," Lt. Jim Ryan told 1010 WINS.

"I can't judge her, but it's an unfortunate situation," one woman said.

"I wouldn't want to hear one of my kids' school teachers doing that," another told CBS2.

Police said the teenagers had been drinking vodka, beer and other alcohol under Harding's supervision.

Harding made bail, set at $2,500.