Mom tried for party-related manslaughter

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., May 20 (UPI) -- Witnesses testified against a Florida mother, the state's first parent to be charged with manslaughter stemming from an underage drinking incident.

Diane Santarelli, 52, of St. Augustine allegedly allowed a party in her home Jan. 11, 2009, during which minors used alcohol and drugs, and after which two teenagers died in a drunk driving accident, The Florida Times-Union reported.

Santarelli was charged with two counts of manslaughter, one count of hosting an open party in her house and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, the newspaper said.

Jessy Pitts, 18, and Taylor Brennan 17, died in a car accident after leaving the party.

"I went over there because my friends were over there and I wanted a place to go drink and smoke," Danielle Kraft, an underage party attendee testified.

There was a large amount of beer, liquor, marijuana and nitrous oxide at the party, Kraft said.

"(Santarelli) never told anyone not to drink. It was like she turned a blind eye," Philipp Krell, a minor at the party, testified.

Santarelli allegedly offered to allow party-goers who were too intoxicated to stay over in her home, but only two chose to do so, the Times-Union reported.