Booze-fueled house party in posh Long Island hamlet draws hundreds of paying teens — now homeowners face charges

A Halloween house party in Dix Hills took a dangerous turn when two teenagers fell ill from alcohol poisoning. The event, held at the home of married couple Philip Bacarella and Rita Baccarella, attracted hundreds of teenagers who reportedly paid for entry. The couple, both 51 years old, now face charges following the incident.

The party, which was advertised on social media as having over 500 attendees, featured a party tent and portable toilets to accommodate the large crowd. Police were called to the scene after receiving reports of a possible overdose around 9:40 p.m. When officers arrived, they found hundreds of teenagers both inside the house and in the surrounding neighborhood.

Two 16-year-old girls who did not live at the residence were taken to Huntington Hospital for treatment. The homeowners were subsequently arrested under the county’s “social host law” for allowing minors to consume alcohol and endangering the welfare of a child.

It remains unclear whether the couple has children of their own or if they were directly involved in organizing the party. They were issued desk appearance tickets and are scheduled to appear in Central Islip court on November 20th.

The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of underage drinking and the legal consequences that can arise from hosting parties where alcohol is available to minors. Parents and homeowners must be vigilant in monitoring events taking place on their property to ensure the safety of all attendees.