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Kansas City mom in jail for allegedly buying alcohol for teenagers

One teen almost dies from alcohol poisoning
Posted at 9:17 PM, Jun 22, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-23 15:26:19-04

A mother is behind bars after police say she provided alcohol to a group of teenagers, one of whom almost died from alcohol poisoning.

According to police, 34-year-old Melissa Bardwell bought two bottles of liquor for her 14-year-old daughter and some of her friends on May 25.

"I just got off work," explained Melissa's daughter, Angel Harmon. "We were just all hanging out." 

After spending time at the house and drinking, police say one of the friends became overly intoxicated.

"She started getting really drunk," said Angel. "She was falling. She had stuff all over her knees. I sent her back home. Cleaned her up. She puked and I had to change her."

Police said the teenager later passed out and was unresponsive. While Bardwell tried to drive the teenager back home after she became sick, police said the teenager fell out of the car. She was later rushed to Children's Mercy Hospital, where medical crews determined her blood/alcohol content to be around .225, nearly three times the legal limit for an adult in Missouri.

Police said she was diagnosed with life-threatening alcohol poisoning and had to be taken to KU Medical Center.

In court documents, the teenager who became sick told police she remembered drinking Jim Beam, falling down and eventually passing out. When she woke up, she was in the hospital with a breathing tube down her throat.

On Tuesday, police arrested Bardwell on charges of furnishing alcohol to a minor, child endangerment and proving tobacco to a minor.

Bardwell's mother, Senett Eckhart, is now taking care of her children and watching after her home. Eckhart says she was shocked when she heard about the crime.

"I think it's terrible," she said. "If it happened to one of my kids, I'd be in the same boat. I'd be demanding some answers."

Eckhart said as a parent, she would never serve alcohol to a child.

"I sure wouldn't buy alcohol for any kids. Never," explained Eckhart. "I never bought it for Melissa."

Weeks after the incident, Eckhart said she feels terrible for the teenage girl who got sick.

"I hope the little girl makes it OK and forgives Melissa," she said.

Bardwell is currently being held in the Jackson County Detention Center on $50,000 bond. She faces the possibility of up to seven years behind bars and a fine of up to $5,000.

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Tom Dempsey can be reached at Tom.Dempsey@KSHB.com.

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