http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magaz...0050530T190000
AP
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) - A mother faces criminal charges after she hired a stripper to dance at her 16 year-old son's birthday party.
Anette Pharris, 34, and four others were indicted by a grand jury on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and involving a minor in obscene acts.
"It's a bunch of bull," Pharris told The Tennessean newspaper Friday. "I tried to do something special for my son. It didn't harm him." About 30 people were at Landon Pharris' 16th birthday party in September, about 10 of them under the age of 18.
"We even had grandpa there," his mother said. she said a stripper was nothing to get upset about in their neighbouhood, where prostitution and drug use are common.
"Age is just a number," Anette Pharris said. "My son is very mature."
Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron said minors who were not related to the family also attended the party.
"Minors are not permitted in adult establishments in Nashville or anywhere in this state," he said. "A person shouldn't be allowed to circumvent that law by hiring a stripper, a lady who took all her clothes off and spent a good amount of time dancing around minors."
Cassandra Joyce Park, 29, who police say used the stage name "Sassy," danced for a few hours before "the guys" took up a collection and paid her $150 more to fully disrobe, Anette Pharris said.
Park was charged as were her escort to the party, Jeffrey Scott Harper; the owner of the entertainment business, Kirk Anthony Yates, 37; and the birthday boy's father, also named Landon Pharris.
Police said Anette Pharris and her then 14 year-old son, Brandon, took photos at the party and tried to have them developed at a nearby drug store.
"Who are they to tell me what I can and can't show to my own children?" she said. "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone."
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*Good grief lady.. have a little dignity. There are just some things children shouldn't be exposed to*
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