QUEEN CREEK, Ariz. — The Maricopa County Attorney's Office will not be prosecuting the owners of the home where a party was held in Queen Creek last year prior to the beating and death of 16-year-old Preston Lord. The announcement comes one year after Lord's death.
Two charges were submitted to MCAO: contributing to the delinquency of a minor and criminal nuisance. These charges were brought forth by the Queen Creek Police Department against the parents and homeowners of the house where a Halloween party was held in 2023.
Following the Halloween party, Lord was beaten by a group of seven teens, all of whom are now facing charges in Lord's death. He died days later from his injuries.
According to a news release from MCAO, evidence suggests the defendants Emily and Roberto Correa allowed their teenage daughters to have a party or gathering "among known friends," and there is no evidence that the defendants supplied alcohol to the partygoers.
The evidence also shows that the defendants broke up the party after about 45 minutes, when a fight broke out that was not related to Lord's death, the news release states.
"While the parents’ failures to carefully manage their property and act sooner than the lapse of 40 to 45 minutes are not ideal, these lapses do not rise to the level of crimes under the law," the news release states.
MCAO also considered filing a charge under the disorderly conduct statute, however, the news release said the evidence did not show that the defendants intended to disturb the peace as required by law.
"In addition, even though the peace of others was disturbed, that disturbance was due to the intentional actions of others, not those of the parents," the release states.
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