West Milford 14-year-old hospitalized after he was found on lawn intoxicated

WEST MILFORD – A 14-year-old boy was taken to the hospital Friday night after police found him highly intoxicated in the front yard of a home,  according to reports.

The teen was determined to have come from a party in the woods bordering a Macopin Road neighborhood known as Olde Milford Estates, said Detective Sgt. Joseph Walker.

After he was found at about 10 p.m., the boy was transported to Chilton Medical Center in Pequannock for treatment due to his high level of intoxication, Walker said.

Other juveniles who attended the party were located and their parents or guardians contacted, said Walker, who added the investigation is ongoing.

James Foody, the West Milford school board president, said he had not heard about the Friday night party and its aftermath on Tuesday. He said recent discussions and concerns about alcohol use among West Milford students will likely result in increased security at high school football games and other athletic events.

Foody said community leaders may be best served responding to the near-tragedy on Friday with preventative measures, namely providing children with more reasons not to drink alcohol.

“We need something for these kids to do besides hanging out in the woods and getting drunk,” he said.

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