Teen drinking party broken up by Belmont police

BELMONT — While searching for a missing teenager, police found a large group of teens at a party where alcohol was found, resulting in the arrest of one person and the likely grounding of many kids.

At 2:16 a.m. Monday, Belmont police assisted the Gilford police in search of an overdue and missing teen believed to be at a Belmont address. When they arrived at the address giving to Gilford Police, Belmont officers saw several teenagers fleeing from the home at the sight of police cruisers. Officers rounded up and identified a total of 14 people at the residence where alcohol was found. None of the people identified were 21 years of age.

In all, one 20-year-old, one 19-year-old, six 18-year-olds, three 17-year-olds, and three 16-year-olds were detained for suspected alcohol violations. The missing Gilford teenager was identified as one of the people at the home, and was eventually returned to family.

Joseph W. Bonnell, 18, of Gilford, was charged by the Belmont Police with several misdemeanors.

Bonnell faces two class B misdemeanor charges for endangering the welfare of a child (one count for each 16-year-old present) and one class B misdemeanor offense of facilitating an underage alcohol house party. Bonnell was also charged with a violation-level offense for unlawful possession of alcohol. Bonnell was released on personal recognizance bail with an April 6 arraignment date at Laconia District Court.

Officers determined that the Belmont home was being used while the owners were away.

"We are confident at this point that the home owners were unaware of the activity taking place at their residence while they were out of state," said police.

The minors involved were released to the custody of parents. If sufficient information is sustained, charges for the juveniles will be referred to the Juvenile/Family Court system.

– Ginger Kozlowski