Abby Jane Swogger's Sex Parties and the Responsibility of Parents Hosting Teen Parties

Parents and adults who throw parties where teenagers are in attendance place themselves in a very precarious position of responsibility. Other parents expect a certain amount of accountability and responsibility when their children attend such parties. They want and hope their children are in a safe, secure, and fun environment, an environment sans drugs, alcohol, sex, violence or any type of detrimental or traumatic stimuli or occurrence.

But some adults and parents should never host parties for teens. Abby Jane Swogger of Harrison, Pennsylvania, is a perfect example.

In a very convoluted case involving several parties, a couple of runaway girls, nude photos, inappropriate acts with minors, drugs and alcohol, a hotel room, and the involvement of untold numbers of teens and adults, the police are investigating Abby Jane Swogger, a teacher's aide at Highlands High School in Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania, while she is being held in a Westmoreland County Prison. One of the young males in one of the photographs is alleged to be 14 years old. Swogger was arrested Tuesday, February 26, for her suspected involvement in a hotel party attended by minors and adults Thursday night, information gathered by police when they began questioning two 15-year-old runaways found in Swogger's hotel room Friday afternoon.

Swogger is no longer employed as a teacher's aide. She chose to resign Monday, just a day before she was arrested.

Swogger was released on bail Tuesday afternoon, but was rearrested for violating her probation and placed in prison until her hearing on March 6. Her bond was revoked because she had agreed to not leave her home or have any contact with minors, breaching both stipulations. When she was picked up by the police, a 17-year-old male who also appears in at least one of the photos was at her house.

Abby Jane Swogger, 34, a former stripper and the mother of two, is accused of corrupting minors and three drug offenses, including having a third of an ounce of powdered cocaine in the Clarion Hotel sex, drug, and alcohol party Thursday night. Swogger claims she is innocent of all charges against her, despite the nude photos, including one where she is nude and being fondled by three allegedly underaged boys, and revealing testimony.

Claims of innocence aside, Swogger should have never rented the hotel room for a party involving minors or had parties involving underage people at her home when those parties involved alcohol. The same must be said for drugs. Alcohol and drugs being inhibition nullifiers, sex might not be a natural extension of the two but it is usually not too far behind when people are exposed to them.

Parties involving teens need mature and responsible adults as hosts. Hosting pool parties, pizza parties, sleepovers and get-together, no matter their size, can be fun and entertaining events. There are some basic rules that should be followed at all parties to make sure they remain safe and fun for all involved.

Rule Number One at events involving persons not of the age of majority: No drugs or alcohol on the premises. This is also to include barring anyone from attending who is believed to have been drinking or taking drugs before arriving.

Rule Number Two: No overly sexual contact or language. This can lead to things getting a bit out of hand. It can also cause flare-ups of violence, so the less sexual the interactions at co-ed parties, the better. As a sub-rule, make certain that any and all bedrooms and large storage areas are locked and placed off limits in no uncertain terms to your young guests. Another subrule: no inappropriate removal of clothing.

Rule Number Three: No fighting, rough horseplay, unseemly rude verbal exchanges. This type of behavior has to be monitored and judged on a case-by-case basis, but is necessary to ensure that some conversations or rough-housing does not lead to outright violence and injuries.

Rule Number Four: If other adults are involved, they are to abide by the same rules as the children at the parties. No alcohol. No drugs. No untoward sexual contact or language. No showing up at the party after drinking or doing any type of drug. Absolutely no sexual or inappropriate actions involving a minor. The parents and adults in attendance must be the examples for the minors and irresponsible behavior by the hosts and/or their adult co-hosts and guests could lead to an unwanted snowball effect.

Rule Number Five: Have a good time. Yes, believe it or not, partying can be done without drugs and alcohol and sex and fun can still be had by all.

Sources:

Chuck Biedka, "Judge to Swogger: 'I'm going to let you sit in jail," PittsburghLive.com

Chuck Biedka and Mary Ann Thomas, "Woman in nude photos ex-teacher's aide, police say," PittsburghLive.com

Chuck Biedka, "Investigation of ex-teacher's aide widens," PittsburghLive.com