Woman, 55, arrested for open house party violation | News

HOOVER, AL (WBRC)- A Hoover mom ended up behind bars for throwing a high school graduation party that allegedly included underage drinking.

Police arrested Lucinda Cagle Armstrong, 55, because they say underage drinkers were attending the party. She was charged with violating the Alabama Open House Party law.

Late Sunday night Hoover Police got a phone call about a loud party at a home in the 2200 block of Rockview Lane in Hoover's Bluff Park neighborhood. Officers said cars were parked along the street and in the yard of the residence.

"When officers responded they found teenagers running off, running through the yards, running into cars, running through bushes," said Captain Jim Coker. "What we found was an open house party."

But the teens weren't home alone the whole night. Police say Lucinda Armstrong was home part of the time while she hosted a graduation party for her son. Police say they found cases of beer and coolers containing wine and beer at the residence.

Neighbors say they're surprised to hear about Armstrong's arrest.

"I've never heard of any underage drinking going on in this neighborhood. We have really nice people who live here. I don't think Miss Armstrong would have allowed it," said Vicki Juliano.

Juliano lives a few houses down from Armstrong and says she didn't hear the party Sunday night because she was asleep.

"Like I said I work every day so I don't hear very much anymore. I'm not a gossip fence person, but they're wonderful people and I can't believe they would have let that go on," said Juliano.

Police say 15 teenagers didn't make a break for it or weren't fast enough when cops showed up so police detained them and called their parents. Coker says those cases will be handled in juvenile court.

Coker says he hopes this serves as a warning for other parents who might consider having alcohol at a party for their high school graudate.

"Not only will you be held criminally responsible for what happens in your house but you may be civilly liable also if the parents of an underage minor who's drinking gets hurt or killed. You may have a civil lawsuit to contend with as well," said Coker.

Coker doesn't know if any civil lawsuits have been filed in connection to this case.

FOX6 News attempted to contact Armstrong several times to see if she had anything to say about the party or arrest. Our attempts weren't successful.

Armstrong's facebook page says she's a social worker at Children's Hospital and she was listed on their staff page. When FOX6 News called Children's Hospital they referred us to their corporate human resources department and we haven't heard back from them.

Armstrong has bonded out of Hoover City Jail on a $1,000 bond. A court date has been set for her for July 25, 2012.

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