Virginia Parents Face Charges After Backyard Gathering Turns Into Massive Teen Party

Clear Facts

• Lisa Vaughan, 45, and Aubrey Vaughan, 55, of McLean, Virginia, were charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and maintaining a common nuisance after Fairfax County police responded to their home on November 6.
• Police received multiple 911 calls reporting between 100 and 300 teenagers at the property, along with fireworks being discharged.
• The couple maintains their innocence, stating the event was intended as a small gathering for their 13-year-old sons and about 10 to 20 classmates, but the invitation spread on Snapchat to high school students.

The Vaughans say they wanted to provide a supervised, alcohol-free space for their middle school sons and a few friends. The invitation, however, circulated beyond their control and brought older teens to their property.

“There will be no more,” Aubrey Vaughan told FOX 5 DC, referring to the party for their sons. “We’re done.”

Officers arrived at the McLean home around 9:03 p.m. after neighbors reported an out-of-control gathering. Fireworks were being set off and the crowd had grown far beyond what the parents expected.

Aubrey Vaughan apologized to neighbors and described himself as “embarrassed” by how quickly the situation escalated. The couple had their sons go door-to-door to apologize after police cleared the property.

“They wanted to maintain a safe place, free from alcohol, for kids to have a good time, but they had no control about all the kids that arrived and caused chaos in their neighborhood,” the couple’s attorney, Alaric Piette, told FOX 5.

The parents told police they did not allow alcohol and had been supervising throughout the evening. They also said the invitation explicitly prohibited alcohol and bags.

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis warned that hosting large gatherings at home can quickly become dangerous, stating, “I think it’s universally a bad idea to host anything at a home.”

“Parents have to be parents” and “adults have to be adults,” Chief Davis added, noting that good intentions can lead to unintended consequences when large groups of unsupervised teenagers gather.

Aubrey Vaughan said he holds no resentment toward the officers who responded and expressed gratitude for their help in dispersing the crowd. He advised other parents to closely monitor social media invitations.

“The lesson is just make sure you’re watching Snapchat,” Aubrey Vaughan told FOX 5.

Police have not announced charges against any of the teenagers who attended the gathering.

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