AITA for keep in the house children and teenagers until the police arrive and charge them?

A sunny Saturday finds a homeowner at the market, grabbing steaks and drinks for a big Sunday pool party. His rental house, fridge brimming, hums with potential until a call from his brother reveals blaring music and strange voices echoing from the property.

He bolts home with his husband, jaw dropping at 20 strangers kids, teens, and an adult splashing in the pool and grilling his food. They’d scaled a broken fence, leaving chaos. Furious, he guards the exit with his brother, awaiting police to sort the mess.

‘AITA for keep in the house children and teenagers until the police arrive and charge them?’

I (M) have a house with a pool that I rent on weekends or throw parties. The kitchen and swimming pool are on outside. Friday, I went to the market to buy drinks, meats and various things, because Sunday there would be a party in this house. So the fridge had a lot of things.

On Saturday, my brother called me asking if I had rented the house this Saturday for someone and when I said no, he informed me that he passed by and heard very loud music in it in addition to several voices. I asked him to meet me there and I went with my husband.

There were about 20 people enjoying the pool, drinking and having a barbecue with my stuff. Apparently they used a ladder to jump over the wall. The wall had a 'broken' fence and will be replaced tomorrow. It's the only wall that faces the street.

When they saw us, they started to get even more desperate that my brother had the ladder.. They tried to escape but we kind of protected the wall. The police had already been called, so we didn't want anyone to escape. Nothing happened to anyone to make it clear, they just tried to get past us to go to the lowest wall, but couldn't.. The police arrived.

There were 7 children (6-13 yo), 12 adolescents (14-17 yo) and 1 adult (39 yo). Those responsible for the minors were called and this caused a mess, as they started to accuse us gor holding minors in my house when I am not a police authority.

The police gave me the freedom to press charges or not, but I said I just wanted the value of the items consumed, pay for a cleaning lady and cleaning the pool. Yes, it would cost a high value, because the outside area was a mess and almost everything used in the fridge.

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The adults began to say that just scolding from the police would be enough and that I know how stupid young people can be and begged me not to charge that amount, as most of them were extremely poor. I stood by my decision, saying that they would have until today (Monday) to pay for my damage, otherwise I would press charges against everyone.

Yes, I heard a lot of curses, but today I received the full amount. My husband said that I was very harsh, because I paid out of my pocket anyway ( there was the party anyway) and that for us, there would be no difference that money, but for extremely poor families? Yes.

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I really don't think it's fair to have this expense, despite being able to pay without weighing on my pocket. Young people are stupid, but still they broke into a house, used everything in it and left a mess.. AITA?

A homeowner’s haven turned into a trespasser’s paradise, blending violation with a cleanup headache. Kids, teens, and a puzzling 39-year-old partied without permission, leaving a trail of mess and a dented fridge stock. The homeowner’s stand blocking the exit until police arrived stems from a primal urge to protect what’s his, balanced against pleas from families stretched thin.

This mess mirrors a wider tangle: property rights versus youthful folly. The FBI’s 2021 data tallies over 6 million property crimes, from trespassing to theft, showing how common these breaches are . Teens might leap before they look, driven by impulse, but an adult tagging along adds a layer of reckless disregard, hinting at deeper lapses in judgment.

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Dr. John Gottman, a respected psychologist, observes, “Conflict isn’t the problem; it’s how we handle it that shapes outcomes”. Here, the homeowner leaned on accountability, sidestepping charges for a practical fix payment for damages. It’s a firm line, yet fair, dodging a free ride for brazen acts while navigating the poverty plea with a deadline.

Security steps—cameras, sturdy fences, fridge locks can shield against future chaos. For the kids, community programs could steer that energy to better outlets, while the adult might need a sharper wake-up call. A balanced fix means claiming costs to mend the mess, perhaps with payment plans for those in need, blending justice with a nod to compassion.

Take a look at the comments from fellow users:

Reddit weighed in with gusto, siding strongly with the homeowner. The consensus cheers his restraint—opting for reimbursement over charges—while shaking heads at the gall of trespassers gobbling food and trashing the place, especially with a 39-year-old in tow.

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Fellow users tip their hats to a lesson in consequences, noting the risk of liability if a kid got hurt. They urge bolstering security and call out lax parenting, with a sly chuckle at pleas for “just a scolding” falling flat. Cooler heads see a chance to channel funds or effort into community good, beyond rewarding a break-in.

Master-Manipulation − NTA They broke in, ate your food, and made a mess of the place. Plus if anything happened to a kid there (ie break an arm or drown), you’d be held responsible which isn’t fair. Those parents are lucky you didn’t press charges and just demanded reimbursement.

Bitter-Conflict-4089 − NTA. You should absolutely have pressed charges on the 39 year old.

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McflyThrowaway01 − NTA. They straight up broke in and used your house like it was theirs.. WHO DOES THAT???? Were these neighbors?

survival-nut − NTA - Almost all of them knew what they were doing was wrong. They made a choice to break in, steal, and use your property without consent. If someone drowned or was hurt on the property, there may have been liability for you etc. You were kinder than a lot of others would have been. I recommend surveillance cameras.

BondoAndBroccoli − NTA press charges 'a scolding from the police should be enough' lmao. S**ew that noise. Funny how parents don't give a s**t about what their kids do when it affects other people's property. Have mercy on the children! lol

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Andromydaa − NTA I think you went easier on them considering you could’ve pressed charges and chose not to, not to mention this is a great learning moment for consequences. On an off note though, what was a 39 year old doing trespassing with over a dozen minors.

siamesecat1935 − NTA. They trespassed, ate your food, made a mess, and I'm betting they KNEW it was wrong but didn't care. Actions have consequences.

Jaded-Moose983 − NTAPl ease tell your husband that instead of rewarding criminal behavior, he would better serve his community by investing in the families who need help. Bailing out criminals is not the way to aid poor families. Take the money paid to repair the damage done, and invest in education, after school care, whatever the community needs.

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Or, instead of cash, have the involved individuals contribute work towards repairing homes, supporting the disabled or whatever the community needs.. If you didn't press charges on the adult in that group, IMO, you made a mistake.

mdthomas − They knowingly committed crimes. If the parents are upset about having to pay, GOOD! It will entice them to make sure their kids never do this again.. NTA

winesis − NTA but you really need cameras set up in your pool area & a lock on the outdoor fridge/cabinets.

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A quiet weekend flipped into a backyard saga, with a homeowner staring down 20 trespassers, securing payment for a trashed pool and pilfered fridge. His firm stance clashed with cries of hardship, landing in a gray zone of right and wrong. Kids, teens, and an odd adult out stirred a messy brew, now settled with cash. What would you do if strangers turned your home into their party pad? Share your takes, stories, or wisdom below let’s unpack this wild ride together!

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