Shannon O’Connor, also known as the “Party Mom,” has pleaded not guilty to 63 counts, including 20 felonies and 43 misdemeanors, for allegedly supplying alcohol to minors and encouraging them to engage in sexual activities at parties held in her Los Gatos home in 2020. The charges against O’Connor have increased from 39 to 63 after a grand jury indictment based on the testimony of 17 victims. O’Connor appeared in court wearing glasses and a green jumpsuit, maintaining her innocence during her arraignment.
Prosecutors have accused O’Connor of hosting six parties for her son and his friends at her multimillion-dollar, 6,000-square-foot home over an 11-month period. They allege that multiple children were left unconscious or sexually abused during these parties, with one child suffering broken bones. The charges against O’Connor now include felony sexual assault, felony dissuading a witness, and additional child endangerment.
O’Connor’s lawyers initially considered a plea deal that would have resulted in a 17-year prison sentence but ultimately decided to proceed to trial. The “Party Mom” was living in Idaho at the time of her arrest in 2021. Prosecutors claim that she provided vodka, Fireball whiskey, and condoms to teenagers as young as 14 years old while instructing them to keep the parties a secret from their parents. Additionally, O’Connor allegedly failed to seek help when a teenager passed out from alcohol intoxication.
One particular incident described in court documents involved O’Connor giving a condom to an intoxicated boy and pushing him into a bedroom with a 14-year-old intoxicated girl. The girl ran and locked herself in a bathroom out of fear. Another victim reported being sexually assaulted by an intoxicated minor at another party after O’Connor locked them in a room together. When confronted, O’Connor reportedly laughed off the accusation.
Social media apps like Snapchat were allegedly used by O’Connor to organize the parties and ask the minors what alcohol they wanted. The “Party Mom” also rented a cottage for her son’s birthday, resulting in over $9,000 in damages to the property.
O’Connor’s next hearing is scheduled for December 20. The allegations against her reveal disturbing details of underage drinking, sexual assault, and the exploitation of vulnerable teenagers.
