April 9, 2003 13:46

TOMMY LEE - I WASN'T RESPONSIBLE FOR TODDLER WHO DROWNED AT MY HOME

The rock bad boy says it was up to adults who brought kids to his son's party to watch their safety...

Rock bad boy TOMMY LEE has denied he was responsible for the four-year-old boy who drowned at a party at his MALIBU home.

The former Motley Crue drummer gave evidence at the start of the civil trial yesterday (April 8), saying that it was up to the adults who brought children to his son Brandon's birthday party in June 2001 to watch their safety.

"If they were alone it would be my problem. They weren't," said Lee. He added that he had kept an eye on his own two children at the party in which Daniel Karven-Veres died.

Daniel's parents, actress Ursula Karven and TV producer James Veres, are seeking unspecified damages in a wrongful death lawsuit against Lee. They claim they were unaware that their child would be swimming and that Lee failed to provide him with a life jacket.

Lee's lawyer James Baratta has denied claims that the party was intended for adults and unsuitable for children: "This was not a drinking party ... This wasn't a Hollywood party. This was a children's party. Mr Lee invited people who had children."

The tragedy occurred after the male caretaker accompanying Daniel left the party, entrusting the child's care to another family's nanny. The German caretaker has since disappeared.