In Re Leanna W.

Leanna W. appeals an order of the juvenile court in which she was found to have committed first degree burglary and vandalism of her grandmother’s home, asserting there is not substantial evidence to support the court’s finding that the allegations were true. The case arises out of Leanna’s hosting a going-away party at her grandmother’s home while her grandmother was away.

At the time of the party, Leanna, a 17-year-old ward, had recently run away from her juvenile placement. Her grandmother, Ms. R, purchased Leanna a one-way bus ticket to Montana, where Leanna’s mother lived. On the weekend immediately preceding Leanna’s bus trip, Ms. P. and her husband went out of town. Sometime on Friday of that weekend, Leanna entered her grandmother’s home and proceeded to entertain guests during a going-away party. When the neighbor, Ms. Winchell, discovered the party, she broke it up, and all of the partygoers left. Three hours later, however, Ms. Winchell found the party had resumed. Ms. Winchell again broke it up. The following day, Leanna returned to clean up after the party.

By juvenile wardship petition, Leanna was charged with first degree burglary, vandalism and grand…