Fairfax teen murder suspect's mother under investigation
A story last week revealed that a 16-year-old Fairfax County murder suspect had been in the Fairfax juvenile jail last fall, but was approved to take a trip to the dentist -- with his mother -- by a Fairfax probation officer.
The teenager did not return, and in March he allegedly killed another 16-year-old with a baseball bat in a Fairfax park. A number of readers asked why the mother was not charged with a crime for her role in the son's escape and four-month disappearance.
We put that question to Fairfax Commonwealth's Attorney Raymond F. Morrogh, who responded:
The matter is currently under investigation by [the Fairfax police] gang unit. Stay tuned.
The county prosecutor also noted that police and prosecutors would have to prove complicity on the mother's part, and that if the 16-year-old fled without her help, she may not be criminally culpable.
But if the mother aided his escape or harbored him later, she could be charged.
Fairfax probation officer Keith Gropposo, who was not the probation officer involved in approving the teen's dental visit, testified in juvenile court last week that after the 16-year-old absconded, his family did not return phone calls seeking information about him.
Gropposo said the teen was a member of MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, and that he and a 15-year-old gang member beat Christian Perez to death in Woodlawn Park on March 19.
Robert A. Bermingham, the head of Fairfax juvenile court services, said the policy on approving medical trips from the juvenile detention center has been revised to add more review. The 16-year-old suspect in this case had prior convictions for malicious wounding and gang participation, and was in jail for a second malicious wounding charge when he was allowed to leave with his mother.
-- Tom Jackman
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Tom Jackman
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April 12, 2010; 1:50 PM ET
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Posted by: lsf07 | April 12, 2010 5:00 PM | Report abuse
The entire family of this dirtbag should be rounded up and deported.
Posted by: josetucson | April 13, 2010 7:53 AM | Report abuse
Mom is just a fine upstanding citizen I see. I'm sure we'll get the "I can't control him, he's a teenager." excuse. Lock this goon up for 25 years minimum. And send her to jail for 10 yrs. Whenis the DC council gonna take up a bill that lowers the age to try these punks as adults to 13 yrs. No wonder everyone wants to buy a gun and ammo.
Posted by: espnfan | April 13, 2010 7:53 AM | Report abuse
The Mom says, "Lo siento, no habla ingles."
Posted by: TooManyPeople | April 13, 2010 9:51 AM | Report abuse
Whenis the DC council gonna take up a bill that lowers the age to try these punks as adults to 13 yrs. No wonder everyone wants to buy a gun and ammo.
Posted by: espnfan |
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Espnfan, what does DC Council have to do with this incident in Fairfax County? We have enough madness in DC to contend with without you adding more. In the future: Read the article...comprehend...and then comment!
DC Resident
Posted by: Topp12 | April 13, 2010 10:38 AM | Report abuse
If the mother did not call to report that he escaped one way or another, whether or not she helped him to escape, then she is culpable as well. She knew he was supposed to be returned to the detention center. I hope she is charged as an accomplice and arrested. If he is a gang member and a naturalized citizen, the citizenship can be taken away and he can be deported. Same for her if she's a naturalized citizen. If they are both here legally or illegally...and they are charged and convicted, they should do jail time and then be deported. Enough of this nonsense!
Posted by: DecafDrinker | April 13, 2010 10:49 AM | Report abuse
Why am i not surprised illegals+weak azz laws+MS13= murder&mayhem.
Posted by: dargregmag | April 13, 2010 10:58 AM | Report abuse
The entire family of this dirtbag should be rounded up and deported.
Posted by: josetucson | April 13, 2010 7:53 AM
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Deported where?
Posted by: PublicEnemy1 | April 13, 2010 12:02 PM | Report abuse
The comments to this entry are closed.
so why hasn't the mother of this thug been served with arrest papers?