Woman who hosted graduation party in Pelham, NH arrested

PELHAM, N.H. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A woman who police say hosted a graduation party with alcohol and minors present has been arrested.

Earlier this month, a father called police after picking his son up from the party on Monument Hill Road to report that there were teenagers drinking inside. 

The parent guessed that there were between 40 to 50 people at the party at 3 Monument Hill Road. When police arrived, the man's 18-year-old son confirmed that underage guests were drinking inside.

While waiting for police, the father said he had to stop multiple teens who were possibly intoxicated from driving away, police said. He also said when he went to pick his son up, he was invited inside by the home's owner, 47-year-old Sandra Whiting, but refused.

When officers from the Pelham and Windham police departments arrived, Whiting would not allow officers inside the house, according to police.

“She refused to let us in," Pelham Police Sergeant Anne Perriello said. "We explained dangerousness, liability, etc. and she wouldn’t let us into her house.”

After trying several different tactics, police got a warrant to enter the home, close to five hours after initially being called to the house. When they entered, police found some teenagers still inside, along with cans and bottles of alcohol around the home, as well as marijuana paraphernalia.

Pelham police said that Whiting, the homeowner, took responsibility for the graduation party, which she said was being thrown in her niece's honor.

On Sunday, June 22, Whiting was arrested and charged with facilitating an underage drug/alcohol party.

Cox Media Group