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Police: Playtime USA 'failed to follow' safety requirements in connection to Mt. Healthy party

Posted at 8:57 AM, Apr 10, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-10 08:58:35-04

MOUNT HEALTHY, Ohio — Two more adults are charged in connection to a teen dance party that resulted in fighting, injuries and arrests over the weekend.

According to Mount Healthy police, Playtime USA, located in the Hilltop Shopping Center, held a teen dance party Saturday without obtaining the proper permit.

Police estimate 355 teens were sold $20 tickets to the party.

The incident began inside Playtime USA on Hamilton Avenue and moved into nearby parking lots throughout the strip mall, where multiple fights broke out. Two police officers and at least three juveniles were hurt -- eight juveniles and one adult were arrested and charged with aggravated rioting and resisting arrest.

Body camera recordings show teens slammed to the ground and parents attempting to pull their children out of the melee.

READ MORE: Body camera recordings show Mount Healthy party dissolve into melee

In a news release, police said management reacted to the fighting by evacuating the venue, forcing people into the parking lot area.

"This action exasperated the situation and caused additional fights to occur," the news release said. Officers on scene became "overwhelmed" and numerous police agencies assisted in dispersing the crowd.

An incident report obtained from Springfield Township states that when officers arrived on scene, they observed "a couple hundred people in the parking lot" with "fights breaking out everywhere." The report also describes "several subjects lying on the ground while others repeatedly kicked them" and "shots fired nearby."

The incident report from Springfield Township police also stated that officers used pepperball guns and K-9 units for crowd control.

Police charged Marvino Higgins and Daniel Oliver with operating a teen club without a license Tuesday. In addition, police said Playtime USA "failed to follow safety requirements" within a city ordinance to protect patrons.

According to police, promotion for the party was done on social media, primarily to Withrow University High School Students. Police said most of the suspects arrested do not live in Mount Healthy.

The investigation is ongoing.