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Father Charged In Son's Overdose Death

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By KYLE MARTIN

Hernando Today

Published: August 2, 2008

SPRING HILL - A father who wanted to "teach his son to party right" was charged with third-degree murder Friday in connection with the teenager's overdose death.

Steven Alfano, 47, is also accused of child abuse after a monthlong investigation revealed he snorted prescription painkillers with his 15-year-old son, Vincent, investigators say.

The suspect discovered his son was not breathing the morning of June 27 in his home at 11718 Linden Drive. His death was ruled an accident at the time.

However, further investigation, including recorded conversations and the hundreds of pills available in the home, convinced detectives there was more to the story.

Their suspicions were confirmed when toxicology results revealed several unprescribed medications in the victim's bloodstream, including oxycodone, methadone and alprazolam, according to an affidavit.

Investigators concluded that Vincent Alfano's death was a direct result of his father giving him the prescription pills.

When the suspect's home number was called Friday, the woman who answered the phone was apparently unaware of the charges against Steven Alfano. She screamed "what" and abruptly hung up the phone.

Sgt. Jim Powers, spokesman for the sheriff's office, said Alfano was arrested Friday afternoon. His bond is set at $500,000.

The investigation that led to Alfano's charges, including withholding information from a practitioner, began the morning of Vincent's death. The suspect reportedly told a detective that his medications were kept under lock and key. But eight prescription bottles, some unopened, were found "easily accessible" in the master bedroom, an affidavit states.

Two other prescription bottles were found in a kitchen cabinet; a single pill from one of the bottles was found in the deceased's backpack, an affidavit states.

Witnesses also came forward. Two told an investigator that they saw father and son crush painkillers and snort the powder. On July 7, a confidential informant wore a bug to the house and recorded a conversation with Alfano.

The suspect admitted to providing to providing Xanax to his son and that he was "trying to teach him to party right," an affidavit states.

On July 2, a different witness placed a recorded phone call to Alfano. The suspect was at a funeral home.

"I went to the police station yesterday and was asked several questions concerning Vinny and the pills," he said. "What should I say?"

"Tell them I didn't give them to him," Alfano said.

The witness continued: "What about the time I was at the house and you took the pills with Vinny?"

"You didn't see anything because they're (sic) going to arrest me and no good is going to come of that," Alfano replied.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com.

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