Ariz. Mom Wants Her Killer Boy Back in School

The mother of a 9-year-old Arizona boy accused of shooting to death his father and a family friend says her son should not have been allowed to plead guilty without her consent—and she wants him back in school, reports ABC News. The child avoided a murder trial by pleading guilty to the lesser charge of negligent homicide, and is back home. But he can't attend school until authorities determine he poses no threat to himself or others.

The mother said her son did not understand what he was pleading guilty to, or the concept of probation. Now she wants him back in the classroom. "Part of being a child is being able to be around other people," she said. The mother said she has yet to ask her son about the killings out of fear she may be forced to testify against him. The boy told police he shot both men with a rifle, taking time to reload.
(More Arizona stories.)