Parents may face charges for crowded party bus

MOUNT HEALTHY — A bus rented for a teen’s 14th birthday party has parents facing possible charges after about 60 kids, none wearing masks, piled onto the vehicle, violating the state’s coronavirus regulations and ending with several fights at a shopping center, police say.

Officers on routine patrol at the Hilltop Shopping Center just before 10 p.m. saw the bus pull into the center and the teens exited. Moments later, several fights broke out, according to police. One teen was arrested after trying to hit a police officer, police say, and officers from other communities had to be called to help.

The driver of the bus ignored commands from officers to re-board the teens and drove off, police say. Over the next hour, officers had to continue to break up fights and keep the teens apart, police say.

Police learned a parent had arranged for the party bus, which originated in Cincinnati, for a child’s 14th birthday party. The parent had posted an open invitation on social media, police say.

The parents involved have been identified and might face charges for violating the state’s orders on the coronavirus.

Police say they are consulting with the prosecutor’s office about additional charges.

“Mount Healthy police will not tolerate blatant law violations especially when such action endangers our community, our officers, and public health,” the department said in a news release.