McHenry woman accused of throwing underage drinking party

A McHenry woman faces up to a year in jail on accusations that several teenagers consumed alcohol and were in the presence of marijuana at a party she held over the weekend.

Deborah H. Garcia, 41, of the 1900 block of Orleans Street, is charged with seven counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor stemming from her arrest at home Saturday night.

McHenry Deputy Police Chief Roger Pechous said officers went to the residence about 8:22 p.m. after receiving a report of a possible underage drinking party.

"She allowed the officers in and they saw numerous people who looked to be under the age of 21 who appeared to be consuming alcohol," Pechous said.

After tests confirmed six boys and one girl between the ages of 15 and 17 had been drinking alcohol, officers arrested Garcia on the Class A misdemeanor charges, police said. The teens also were cited for underage consumption or possession of alcohol, Pechous said.

Court documents indicate one of the seven teens is Garcia's son. His father, who does not live with Garcia, obtained an order of protection against her on the boy's behalf on Monday.

Garcia posted a $100 bond after her arrest and is free pending an April 16 appearance in McHenry County Circuit Court. If found guilty of the misdemeanor charges, she would face a maximum one years in jail and $2,500 fine.

A phone number listed for Garcia in court documents was not accepting calls Wednesday.