A South Bay mother accused of throwing out of control parties for young teens was back in court Tuesday.
The hearing surrounds bail for former Los Gatos resident Shannon O'Connor, who has been in jail since October on charges connected to throwing alcohol-fueled parties for underage teens and encouraging them to engage in sex acts.
O'Connor was arrested in Idaho in October, but NBC Bay Area's Investigative Unit found Los Gatos High School and Los Gatos-Monte Sereno police officials knew about her behavior at least 10 months before that.
O'Connor faces 39 felony and misdemeanor charges, including child endangerment, child molestation and sexual assault.
Two teenage girls and three moms spoke in court Tuesday and told the judge how much they would fear for their safety if O'Connor was released on bail.
One of the girls, known as Jane Doe #4 tearfully told the judge "Shannon Bruga robbed me of my innocence" she said. "She has left me with sickening memories that will haunt me the rest of my life. I feel she has not changed. I would feel scared if you let her out on bail."
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Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Rebekah Wise said she applauds the teenage girls who spoke to the judge and said "to have the courage to express how afraid they are if the defendant gets out of jail is very exceptional."
Parents also spoke in court and said they fear if O'Connor is free and gets access to devices, "she will further torment our children and continue to contact them."
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Prosecutors argue O'Connor should not be allowed out of jail in part because she already moved out of state once, and has the money to flee again. She and her husband recently sold their $4.5 million Los Gatos home.
O'Connor's attorney declined to comment, but argued in motions she is not a flight risk or threat.
The judge pushed back any decision until early February.
