Mother disputes arrest

of son at drinking party

A newspaper article was written a few weeks back about a 17-year-old that had to be taken to the hospital.

According to the police report, which the newspaper obtained this information, he was picked up at a party that an adult supplied the alcohol. He had to be taken to the hospital due to the fact that he was rendered unconscious, unresponsive and had to have his stomach pumped, according to his probation officer as written by her in the court motion and stated by her.

I am the parent of this 17-year-old. I received the copy of the court papers the same day as I read this in the paper. I then went to the hospital, since I did receive a bill from the hospital for the night that he was taken there by the sheriff's office. I obtained a copy of the medical records for that night.

The report stated Matt was able to walk in to the hospital on his own, which he was handcuffed and escorted by a police officer. He did not stagger, there was no slurring in his speech and shortly after the doctor was done talking to Matt, he was released to detention. Then he walked out on his own handcuffed by the officer.

As serious as this is, out of all the juveniles that were picked up at this party, I did not receive one phone call from the arresting officer, nor his probation officer. All other juveniles were cited with MIPs and released.

Nancy Maclin

Bonners Ferry