Charged With Obtaining Alcohol For Minors

Police said they have charged a Sandy Hook woman with an alcohol violation in connection with a late-night December party at her home which was attended by approximately 30 underage youths who were drinking alcohol.

After learning that police held a Danbury Superior Court warrant for her arrest, Janice Balmforth, 49, of 44-A Bennetts Bridge Road, turned herself over to them on February 14 and was charged with one count of delivery of alcohol to a minor, police said.

The oldest youths present at the December 26 party were age 17, with the typical age of those present being 15, according to police. The legal age for alcohol consumption is 21.

As a result of excessive drinking, one unidentified 15-year-old girl suffered alcohol poisoning, police said. That girl was transported to Danbury Hospital for medical treatment, after which she recovered from her highly intoxicated condition, police said.

Police said that when they arrived at the scene, late on the night of December 26, the youths at the party scattered. The party was being held both inside and outside the house, police said. The children who were present are students at Newtown High School, according to police.

Various types of alcohol were being consumed, including beer and liquor, police said.

Police said they called the parents of the youths present to have them transport their children home safely.

The charge against Balmforth stems from police’s allegation that she purchased alcohol for the children at the party.

After processing the arrest, police released Balmforth on a written promise to appear February 23 in Danbury Superior Court. Police Patrol Officer Domenic Costello investigated the case.