Teacher Arrested After Hosting Underage Drinking Party
On January 17, 2021, at 12:22 a.m., Valparaiso Police responded to the 4100 block of Sleighbell Lane, due to anonymous tips received though the TIP411 reporting system of an ongoing underage drinking party, according to Police Monday.
Upon officers arrival to the area, multiple subjects were located outside who were found to be underage, and had recently consumed alcohol. It was further confirmed that additional subjects were in the basement of the home, where the gathering was taking place. Officers then made contact with the homeowners, who granted them entry into the home.
Once inside, officers entered the basement and located the large gathering. It was determined that none of the occupants were 21 years of age or older, and that numerous alcoholic beverage containers were observed throughout the room. Through investigation, officers determined 17 individuals had violated the minor consumption of alcohol statute, police told RNS. All were taken into custody and transported to the Porter County Jail on such a charge.
The arrested individuals are: Lillian Houts, 18 (Kouts), Blake Knouche, 19 (Valparaiso), Paige Nagel, 19 (Valparaiso), Molly Dedelow 18 (Valparaiso), Avery Spencer, 18 (Valparaiso), Aliana Daniel, 20 (Schererville), Anna Long, 18 (Porter), Sydney Bernardi,19 (Valparaiso), Alicia Trauscht, 19 (Valparaiso), Isaiah Tidwell, 19 (Valparaiso), Eve Bernhardt, 18 (Valparaiso), Caleb Diston, 18 (Valparaiso), Brandon Mack, 19 (Valparaiso), Peyton Krutz, 19 (Valparaiso), Russell Barone 19 (Valparaiso), Cade Robbins, 18 (Valparaiso), Julia Daniel, 19 (Schererville).
During the contact, one of the homeowners, Heidi Bernardi, a Valparaiso teacher, became uncooperative with officers, as she began to interfere and obstruct the investigation. As officers attempted to restrain her, she physically pulled away from them multiple time. She was then taken into custody on a charge of resisting law enforcement and incarcerated at PCJ.
