Norwell mother faces 'Social Host' charges

By L.E. Crowley, Town Correspondent

A Norwell woman facing charges that she let teenagers drink alcohol at her house said she wants the police's help to control her son and his friends.

"I'm glad police came to the house," said Susan Dematteo of Shrine Road. "I'm having trouble controlling my son's friends. He's not a leader. He's a follower, and I can't control his friends."

Deputy Chief John Suurhans said Dematteo will be summonsed to Hingham District Court at a future date.

The case began when police allegedly found teenagers—one passed out in the backyard—drinking at her home. Police have charged her with furnishing alcohol to a person under 21. The penalty is a fine of up to $2,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.

In a telephone interview, Dematteo said she understands she is facing the charges and will take the hit, but hopes to get help with her son and his friends. "I want their help. I want police involved. It was pretty bad," she said.

Police went to the home after receiving a complaint about a loud party at about 11:45 p.m. Monday night. Police said that when they arrived at the house, some of the guests at the party fled, but a 17-year-old male answered the door.

Police said they asked the boy if there was underage drinking going on and if a parent was home, and the boy answer "yes" to both questions. Police said that in the backyard, officers found a 17-year-old male “passed out” in a lawn chair with a bag of empty beer cans next to him.

The Scituate Fire Department was called and the boy was transported to South Shore Hospital because authorities said he was “extremely intoxicated.”

Suurhans said the party began when Dematteo’s son invited some friends over, and added: "It is against the law for you to serve alcohol to underage guests or to allow them to consume alcohol in your home."

He added, "Under the Social Host Law, you can be held financially responsible if your child or guest injures or kills another person after you permit your child or guest to drink alcohol in your home or other property you control,” he said.