House-sitter cited in teen’s overdose

Laguna Beach police have taken action against a local man after a Laguna Beach boy overdosed on drugs and landed in the hospital after attending a party where the man was house-sitting.

Steven Moorehead, 52, was cited by Alcoholic Beverage Control on July 26 after the 17-year-old boy collapsed following a July 5 party where Moorehead was present, Sgt. Darin Lenyi said.

The boy had collapsed at his Crescent Bay Drive home about noon July 6, hours after returning from a large party on Dunning Drive where he reportedly consumed drugs and alcohol, Lenyi said.

The victim was treated by paramedics and taken to the hospital in critical condition, where he is still recovering, according to police.

Police and ABC officials investigating the overdose learned the drugs and alcohol had been consumed at a teenage party with some 50 kids present the night before the teenager’s collapse.

Moorehead was house-sitting at the house where the party took place, on the 1300 block of Dunning Drive. The party was thrown by a teenager who lived at the house, Lenyi said.

Alcohol and marijuana were reported to be present in the home during the party.

Moorehead told police he was not aware the juveniles were consuming drugs and alcohol in his presence, but this was contradicted by witnesses, Lenyi said.

As the adult responsible for the house, Moorehead was cited by the ABC for allegedly furnishing alcohol to a minor resulting in great bodily injury. The charge is a misdemeanor, punishable by no more than one year in jail and fines.

Moorehead is due to appear in court Sept. 19 on the charge.

The suspect could not be reached for a comment on the case.