Peabody mother pleads guilty to hosting drinking party for her underage son

By Todd Feathers, Globe Correspondent

A Peabody mother pleaded guilty today in Peabody District Court to charges that she hosted a 2011 party at her house after which two teenagers were charged with drunken driving.

Deborah Arnott, 42, was sentenced to one year of probation after admitting she procured alcohol for her son’s party and provided it to minors, Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said in a statement.

Her son, Brandon Arnott, 18, admitted to sufficient facts to warrant a guilty finding for intimidating witnesses. Judge Richard Mori continued his case without a finding for 18 months, provided Arnott pays restitution to the Peabody police, performs 50 hours of community service, and remains alcohol- and trouble-free.

The Arnotts were charged following a party at their house attended by 20 of Brandon’s underage friends, according to the statement. Deborah provided the teens with alcohol and went to bed, advising them to spend the night.

At some point during the night, two of the drunk partygoers left in cars, the statement said. One of them, Robert Habeeb, crashed into a house and had to be taken to the hospital.

Todd Feathers can be reached at todd.feathers@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ToddFeathers.