DeLand, FL — A Saturday night party west of DeLand has landed two young men in serious legal trouble after deputies discovered dozens of underage teenagers drinking alcohol—some as young as 14 years old.
Arrested at the scene were Christian Gennaro, 19, of DeLand, and Carter Jeffries, 24, of Casselberry. Both are now facing 24 counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and Jeffries has been charged with an additional 30 counts of providing alcohol to minors, after law enforcement found several bottles of Tito’s vodka in his possession. Officials say the liquor was stashed in his backpack, ready to fuel a party that never should’ve happened.
Deputies with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a tip about a large, unsupervised gathering in a rural area west of DeLand. What they found was a group of approximately two dozen minors, ranging from 14 to 17 years old, congregating in what appeared to be a makeshift party environment—with alcohol present and no adult supervision in sight.
"This isn't just a lapse in judgment—it's a cocktail of recklessness, irresponsibility, and danger," said one investigator. "Every one of those kids was a risk away from alcohol poisoning, injury, or worse."
Authorities say the party was advertised informally through social media, a trend that continues to frustrate both law enforcement and parents alike. The digital invite culture often gives these gatherings an illusion of safety—until they don’t.
Thankfully, all minors were safely located and returned home to their families. No injuries or medical issues were reported, but officials made it clear: that outcome could’ve looked tragically different.
Law enforcement and child welfare advocates stress that incidents like these are reminders of the critical need for community awareness, parental engagement, and strict boundaries between youth and adults who exploit poor judgment for popularity, power, or profit.
“This is about accountability,” said a local youth counselor. “When adults cross the line and put children at risk, the damage ripples through an entire community.”
Both men remain in custody as the investigation continues. Officials have not ruled out further charges.
Let this be a wake-up call: Teenagers don’t need parties hosted by 19- and 24-year-olds. They need safe environments, supportive adults, and clear expectations. The stakes are too high to tolerate anything less.
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