And she's right to protect herself since she has another son depending on her. She has to show sequence of events and that she's made every attempt to do the right thing. I just worry about the boy being placed in foster care or going home after his month is up. Either way, I'd be surprised if he suddenly stops acting out.
I went through very much the same thing with my youngest. Rage fits, years of psychiatrists, medications, anger management, etc. I've lost jobs, husbands, friends, you name it. People can say whatever they want "give me a week with him" my boss likes to say - however, until you LIVE IT, you don't have a clue! I broke down and called the cops on my son about 4 months ago after he punched a hole in the wall in a fit of anger - it worked wonders - gave him a dose of real life that my spankings and groundings and taking things away could never do. He hasn't had another meltdown since - not at home, not at school. I even got a compliment on him from the city pool personnell on how well behaved he has become... now when his "cop friend" drops by, he loves it cause he has positive reports to give him. (He doesn't know that the cop was a friend of my husband's) but those handcuffs and sitting in the cop car for 45 minutes sure turned him around.
I applaud this mother for doing what she did. It hurts deeply to do it - I know it does - but you have to do what you have to do to help your kids. I don't think she's giving up, I think she's getting tough.
I hope the young man learns a lesson and doesn't make the same mistake again.