Winter Park Doctor Avoids Charges After Underage Drinking Incident

UPDATE: A Winter Park physician will not face criminal charges following a controversial house party where police reported minors consuming alcohol, sending a 15-year-old girl to the hospital. Hao Nhu Tran, aged 51, was arrested on October 12, 2023, but prosecutors have decided not to proceed with charges, citing potential affirmative defenses.

Authorities confirm that Winter Park police arrived at Tran’s home on Chestnut Avenue shortly after midnight on October 11 after receiving emergency calls about children allegedly “falling down drunk.” According to the arrest affidavit, Tran claimed she was hosting an event for her son’s school, but other uninvited children attended, leading to chaos.

Inside the home, officers discovered empty alcoholic beverage containers, including High Noon and Smirnoff, discarded in tied trash bags in the kitchen. Tran reported that the hospitalized girl “passed out” and was found in an upstairs bedroom. She called the girl’s mother after ensuring the teen was breathing. The mother later arrived and called 911 as the girl was vomiting and barely coherent at the hospital.

In a striking twist, the girl’s mother indicated she did not wish to press charges against Tran and noted that Tran had hesitated to call emergency services. The decision not to file charges was made public in a court filing on Monday, which did not elaborate further on the evidence or reasoning behind the decision.

Tran, whose medical practice specializes in ear, nose, and throat diseases, has come under significant scrutiny for her actions. As details continue to emerge, the community is left wondering about the implications of this incident and what measures will be taken to prevent similar situations in the future.

As this story develops, residents are urged to stay informed about local events and safety regulations surrounding underage drinking.