‘No escape’: California ‘party mom’ on trial for COVID-era underage drinking parties

A Santa Clara County jury is hearing testimony this week in the criminal trial of Shannon O’Connor, a Los Gatos mother accused of hosting alcohol parties for teenagers during the COVID-19 pandemic, gatherings prosecutors say also exposed minors to sexual misconduct.

At the trial, a Jane Doe witness testified that once she arrived at O’Connor’s home, there was “no escape.” The teen described an environment where alcohol was readily available, adults were permissive, and peers were too intoxicated to safely leave, according to courtroom reporting.

The COVID-era parties

O’Connor, 51, faces more than 60 felony and misdemeanor counts, including child endangerment and furnishing alcohol to minors. Prosecutors allege the offenses occurred between 2020 and 2021, when pandemic restrictions had closed schools and curtailed social activity across California.

According to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, O’Connor allowed — and at times supplied — large amounts of alcohol to teenagers as young as 13 at her Los Gatos home. Prosecutors say the parties were well known among local teens and frequently involved binge drinking, late-night gatherings, and sometimes nonconsensual sexual activity among intoxicated minors.

Several witnesses have testified that alcohol was hidden in the garage or laundry area and brought out after O’Connor’s husband was no longer home. One former teen attendee said vodka and whiskey were common, while supervision was minimal.

Prosecutors argue that O’Connor’s conduct went far beyond poor parenting, describing her as an adult who normalized underage drinking, attempted to control and manipulate the friend group, and created conditions that put minors at risk.

O’Connor pleaded not guilty

Her defense acknowledges that alcohol was consumed at the gatherings but disputes the prosecution’s characterization of her intent. Defense attorneys argue that the case is being overcharged and that O’Connor did not coerce teens or facilitate sexual assault.

In a recorded jailhouse interview aired by NBC Bay Area during the trial, O’Connor admitted she purchased alcohol that teens later drank, but denied encouraging them to engage in harmful activities.

She said teenagers were struggling socially during lockdowns and that similar gatherings were happening at other homes. “I made mistakes,” O’Connor said in the interview, while maintaining that she never intended to endanger children.

Teens feared trouble, had no sober rides home

Still, multiple former students — identified in court as Jane Does and John Does — have testified about feeling pressured to drink and remain at the home even when uncomfortable. Some said they feared getting in trouble or lacked a sober ride home.

Prosecutors say the testimony shows a pattern in which minors were placed in unsafe situations without meaningful adult intervention. Defense attorneys have countered that the witnesses made independent choices and that responsibility should not be criminalized at the level alleged.

O’Connor’s trial is expected to continue for several weeks, with additional former teen witnesses, parents, and law enforcement officials scheduled to testify. If convicted on the most serious charges, O’Connor could face decades in prison.