by WEST BABYLON, NY – A Long Island house party spiraled into tragedy Monday night when a 15-year-old boy was fatally stabbed outside a West Babylon home packed with nearly 100 teens. Authorities later charged the 70-year-old homeowner for allegedly allowing her grandchild to host the unsupervised event that ended in violence.
Chaos at a West Babylon House Party
According to the Suffolk County Police Department, officers responded around 10:25 p.m. to reports of a large disturbance and stabbing outside a home on Carlton Road, a typically quiet residential block in West Babylon.
When officers arrived, they found 15-year-old Liam Delemo suffering from stab wounds following a brawl that broke out as the party unraveled.
Police said the gathering had drawn between 90 and 100 teenagers, some of whom fled the scene before authorities arrived. Delemo was rushed to Good Samaritan University Hospital in nearby West Islip, where doctors pronounced him dead shortly after arrival.
Homeowner Charged Under Social Host Law
Investigators quickly determined that the homeowner, 70-year-old Bonnie Miranda, was present during the party and allowed her grandchild to host the event.
Miranda was arrested and charged with violating Suffolk County’s Social Host Law, which makes it illegal for adults to knowingly permit minors to consume alcohol or host gatherings that pose safety risks.
She was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor offense tied to Delemo’s death, police said.
Authorities did not immediately specify whether alcohol was served at the event, but neighbors told reporters the party had been loud and chaotic for hours before police arrived.
Investigation Ongoing, No Arrests for Stabbing Yet
By Tuesday evening, no one had been arrested or charged directly in connection with the fatal stabbing.
Detectives from the Suffolk County Homicide Squad are continuing to investigate and are urging anyone with information to contact the department at 631-852-6392 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
Officials said they are reviewing videos and photos taken at the party as they work to identify all individuals who attended.
Community Shock and Outrage
The violent incident has rattled the tight-knit West Babylon community, where residents said large gatherings of teens have become increasingly common — often organized through social media platforms like Snapchat or TikTok.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said Maria Conti, a longtime neighbor. “We’ve had loud parties here before, but nothing like this. That poor boy — his family’s lives are destroyed.”
Another neighbor, who asked not to be named, told local media that the street was lined with cars for several hours before the stabbing. “It looked like a mini-concert. We didn’t know there were that many kids inside until the police showed up,” the resident said.
Suffolk County’s Social Host Law Explained
Suffolk County first passed its Social Host Law in 2007 to curb underage drinking and hold adults accountable for gatherings that lead to injuries or property damage. The law allows police to issue criminal charges to anyone who “knowingly permits the consumption of alcohol or illegal substances by minors on property they own, rent, or control.”
Violators can face fines and possible jail time, depending on the circumstances. The law also serves as a deterrent to adults who might look the other way during large, unsupervised parties.
In this case, police allege Miranda failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the gathering from escalating, especially given the number of minors present and the eventual violence that erupted.
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Remembering Liam Delemo
Friends and classmates have begun sharing tributes online to honor Delemo, describing him as “funny, kind, and full of energy.” A makeshift memorial of candles and flowers has formed near the Carlton Road home where he was killed.
“Liam didn’t deserve this,” wrote one friend on social media. “He as just a kid trying to have fun with friends.”
Local schools are reportedly offering grief counseling to students impacted by the tragedy.
A Growing Concern Over Teen Parties
This deadly incident comes amid a rise in reports of large unsupervised teen parties across Long Island, some leading to fights, property damage, or arrests. Law enforcement agencies have urged parents to remain vigilant and aware of gatherings their children plan to attend.
Authorities also caution homeowners that allowing such events — even unknowingly — can result in criminal liability under county law.
As the community mourns the loss of a young life, investigators continue searching for the person responsible for the fatal stabbing.
Do you think Social Host Laws are strict enough to prevent such tragedies? Share your thoughts in the comments at race-day-live.com.
