UPDATE: A Winter Park physician, Hao Nhu Tran, will not face criminal charges following an alcohol-fueled house party for minors that sent a 15-year-old girl to the hospital last month. This urgent decision comes after authorities confirmed on October 30, 2023, that prosecutors found insufficient evidence to proceed with charges against Tran.
Police reported that Tran, 51, was arrested on October 12 for contributing to the delinquency of a minor and providing alcohol to individuals under 21. Officers responded to Tran’s home on Chestnut Avenue shortly after midnight on October 11, where they discovered a chaotic scene involving multiple underage attendees consuming alcohol.
According to the arrest affidavit, Tran initially claimed she was hosting a school event for her son. However, officers discovered empty containers of alcoholic beverages, such as High Noon and Smirnoff, in trash bags throughout the kitchen. Tragically, a 15-year-old girl was found unconscious in an upstairs bedroom after drinking at the party. Tran called the girl’s mother before dialing 911, but the girl’s mother later told police she did not wish to press charges.
In their court filing, prosecutors stated that evidence presented at trial would not overcome “one or more affirmative defenses” that could be raised by Tran. No additional details were provided in the legal documents, leaving the community in shock and raising questions about the incident’s implications.
The latest developments in this case highlight serious concerns regarding underage drinking and parental responsibility. Authorities continue to urge vigilance in monitoring youth gatherings to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As this story unfolds, community members express mixed feelings about the lack of legal repercussions for Tran, whose medical practice focuses on ear, nose, and throat diseases, according to her AdventHealth profile. The Winter Park community is left to grapple with the consequences of this alarming event as discussions around youth safety and accountability intensify.
Stay tuned for more updates as this situation develops.
