Graduation Party Gone Bad: Cranston Police Charge Three

CRANSTON, RI— A teen overdosed at a June 9 graduation party and was raped when she was unconscious, Cranston police allege. They have charged an East Greenwich man with first degree sexual assault and two middle-aged women with serving liquor and drugs to underage people.

Kimberly Ruggiero, 40, of Cranston, and Carolyn Bird, 46, of East Providence, were charged with violating the state’s social host laws. Joseph Kirtlink, 24, of East Greenwich, was also arrested for first degree sexual assault.

The party was June 9 at Ruggiero's Stevens Road home. Ruggiero and Bird threw the party.

Parents interviewed by police afterwards said they were assured no liquor or drugs would be at the party. But police allege the two women served alcohol, jello shots, chocolate edibles and more to both adults and juveniles.

Medics were called to take the 18-year-old to Rhode Island Hospital where she was treated for an "apparent overdose," police said. At that point, police started an investigation.

The two women have been released on bail. Kirtlink is at the Adult Correctional Institutions pending a bail hearing in July.