WEST OCEAN CITY — Three individuals were taken to the hospital and several others were arrested following a high school graduation party gone wrong at a West Ocean City residence early Thursday morning.
Shortly before 1 a.m. on Thursday, Maryland State Police (MSP) troopers responded to a reported incident on Golf Course Rd. in West Ocean City involving a large party with an estimated 35 persons with underage possession and consumption of alcohol.
The MSP Berlin barrack then received a second 911 call advising several individuals were in the street fighting with one person lying in a ditch outside the residence bleeding.
Troopers and emergency services arrived and three individuals were taken to Atlantic General Hospital, two from being unconscious from alcohol and controlled dangerous substance consumption and a third from injuries sustained during the fight. The victim of the assault refused to cooperate with the investigation.
The investigation revealed the homeowner, identified as Kathy Devenny, 55, of West Ocean City, was having a high school graduation party for her son and the party got out of control. A consent search of the residence resulted in the discovery of 16 juveniles possessing and consuming alcoholic beverages. In addition, Devenny and her son and daughter were found to be in possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. The Worcester County Drug Task Force also responded to assist.
Kathy Devenny was charged with contributing to the delinquency of minors, furnishing alcohol to minors, possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia and reckless endangerment. John Robert Devenny, 19, and Sarah Devenny, 20, were also charged with possession of CDS and paraphernalia, while Jermaine Purnell, 20, was charged with possession of CDS. A total of 16 juveniles were cited for alcohol possession and consumption.