Winter Park Doctor Avoids Charges in Underage Drinking Incident

UPDATE: A Winter Park physician, Hao Nhu Tran, will not face criminal charges after allegations surfaced regarding an alcohol-fueled party for minors at her home. This decision follows a police investigation into an incident where a 15-year-old girl was hospitalized after consuming alcohol at the party on October 11.

Authorities confirmed that Tran, aged 51, was arrested on October 12 on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and serving alcohol to individuals under 21 years of age. However, prosecutors announced on Monday that they will not pursue charges against her, citing that evidence at trial would not sufficiently overcome potential affirmative defenses.

Winter Park police were dispatched to Tran’s residence on Chestnut Avenue shortly after midnight on October 11 following multiple reports of minors being “falling down drunk.” Upon arrival, officers discovered empty alcoholic beverage containers, including High Noon and Smirnoff, in the kitchen. According to the arrest affidavit, Tran stated she was hosting an event for her son’s school, but uninvited children from other schools also attended.

As the situation escalated, Tran found the intoxicated 15-year-old girl in an upstairs bedroom. She ensured the girl was breathing before contacting her mother, who subsequently called 911. The girl was taken to a local hospital, where she was reported to be vomiting and barely coherent when police arrived. The mother of the girl informed authorities she did not wish to press charges against Tran but mentioned that the physician had initially been reluctant to call for emergency assistance.

This incident raises serious concerns about underage drinking and the responsibilities of adults in such situations. Tran is a practicing physician specializing in ear, nose, and throat diseases, as noted in her AdventHealth profile.

As this situation develops, the community is left questioning the implications of the prosecutor’s decision and the ongoing issues of safety at social gatherings involving minors.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.