That's nonsense.
I've known more than a few parents who cannot control a teenager...one that physically threatens when trying to discipline them.
What makes you think this mother falls into that category?
She's just blaming the police, not an 'out of control' son.
Making parents responsible for their kids is not nonsense, it's the law...and the 'bad seed' argument doesn't stand up in court. A person who loses control of their car isn't given a pass. Why should a parent who loses control over their kid be assumed blameless?
Parents I've known with out of control kids sent them to military or 'reform' schools. No fairytale endings, but so far none of them have ended up like this.