It’s possible that a 13-year-old girl may end up being the only one charged in the investigation of an outdoor party in the Bass Lake north shore area.
After more than two weeks of interviewing people, Faribault County Chief Deputy Scott Adams says no one has been cited yet.
He says authorities are trying to determine if someone furnished alcohol to the girl who was found lying in a yard unresponsive and intoxicated.
“Since she was unconscious, she could not submit to a breath test,” Adams says. “We are waiting for toxicology results, a certified blood-alcohol level.”
Winnebago Ambulance transported the girl to the emergency room at United Hospital in Blue Earth and she was later released after nearly six hours.
Adams says if someone is charged it will be for contributing to the delinquency of a minor, which would involve furnishing alcohol to a minor.
When three county deputies, Winnebago police and Minnesota State Patrol responded to a call around 12:30 a.m. Saturday, July 7, there were an estimated 1,000 people at the event billed as “Wolfstock” on social media.
Unlike Martin County, prior approval from a zoning official and commissioners to hold a “mass gathering” in the county is not needed.
County Board chairman Greg Young says at the next joint meeting of commissioners from both counties, he plans to ask his counterparts why they require a permit and how well is it working.
“I hate to get more regulations if they aren’t needed,” says Young. “We don’t want to discourage people from having a good time. That’s a part of living out in the country.”
Three members of FariCares — Ryan Murphey, Jennifer Crawford and Aron Welch —- say the non-profit group is working on a “social host” ordinance to help deal with underage drinking.
Under such a law, it would be illegal to provide an environment where underage drinking takes place, regardless of who furnishes the alcohol. Hosts, residents or property owners may be held criminally responsible if a minor who consumed alcohol damages property or harms someone else.