Woman Arrested for Giving Alcohol to Middle School Students Denies Charges

An East Haven mother arrested last month for allegedly giving alcohol to middle school children on the way to their graduation had her case continued today in New Haven Superior Court so she can hire a lawyer.

Lisa Marie Avery, 35, denied the allegation, which she said is based on hearsay. Speaking to a reporter, she also said that the police reports and recent news reports about her contain inaccuracies.

Avery said she is in the process of hiring attorney Jack O’Donnell and said other questions should be addressed to him.

O’Donnell confirmed that he expects to represent Avery and said her case was continued until Sept. 2.

On July 29, Avery was charged with three counts of risk of injury/impairing the morals of a minor and three counts of permitting a minor to possess alcohol.

According to an article in the New Haven Register, a police official said Avery accompanied her daughter and friends in a limousine to the Joseph Melillo Middle School graduation in June.

Avery was reportedly serving as a volunteer chaperone for the children, who ranged in age from 13 to 15.

On the way she allegedly gave them fruit punch mixed with vodka and Mike’s Hard Lemonade, and afterward she smoked marijuana with some of the children, according to police.

The New Haven Register quoted Avery denying the allegations and disputing the police account of it.