A judge decided the 13-year-old will serve probation and receive treatment in a secure residential facility.
SAN ANTONIO — He is doing better, but his road to recovery will be a long one.
That was the message delivered by the probation officer who appeared in juvenile court Friday morning to talk about the case involving terror threats at Rhodes Middle School.
The officer told Judge William Cruz Shaw that the troubled 13-year-old who stands accused of engaging in delinquent conduct has made some good choices of late, but more work is needed.
“We feel based on the severity of the offense, his history, the trauma that he has endured, that it’s going to take a lot of therapy, family intervention, a lot of intervention with (the teen) to get him back on track,” the officer said, adding “So we, we do feel that removal from the home at this point into a residential treatment facility would be best for him.”
Back in May the teen was accused of having a “fascination with past mass shooters” and was allegedly found to have ammunition, a makeshift explosive and a note referencing mass shooting incidents.
At the time, school officials said the teen was detained off campus during the investigation.
An affidavit indicates police were concerned about drawings the boy allegedly had, including a map labeled “suicide route.”
On Friday, the boy appeared to enter a plea of true to the Rhodes incident and another previous unrelated arson charge.
Judge Shaw told the teen, “Your cases are second-degree felonies, so I have a couple of options. I can put you on probation in the care and custody of your grandmother. I can put you on probation in the care and custody of the chief probation officer, or I can send you to TJJD (the Texas Juvenile Justice Department).
Probation told the judge there are bright spots: the teen has no history of drug or gang involvement, and he has had two instances on GPS monitors with no issues. She added the teen has been doing well in detention, saying, “I’ve had moderators stop me and say that he’s starting to open up. He’s starting to communicate better. He’s starting to visit with the counselors and social workers in detention.”
Prosecutor Ellen Walter told the judge, “I am in agreement with the probation department, that the respondent has had a lot of trauma in his history and therefore I am in agreement that a placement facility is the best option for him.”
Walter said she believes the boy needs time away from family, for now.
“That is a place where he can be removed from the home and engaged in long-term care separate and apart from his family before he can be reunited with someone from his family, ideally his grandmother. I do not think he should be returned back to his mother,” Walter said.
The teen’s defense team countered by saying they have looked into outpatient care that would allow the teen to receive mental health services during the day but return to his grandmother’s home at night.
Speaking through an interpreter, the grandmother said, “The child needs a stable place, and I can help him. I have always been responsible. He is a completely different child when he is at my house. He’s obedient, responsible and respectful.”
Walter reminded the court that when police searched the grandmother’s home during the initial complaint, they found what they described as an explosive device. The grandmother confirmed Walter’s statement.
Given a chance to speak, the teen told the judge, “I am ready to take responsibility. I am ready to open up to therapists and follow all the rules to get through all the trauma I have been through,” to which the judge replied, “I have known you a long time and something is working with you.”
In an intense moment the judge leaned in and told the teen, “You have gone through a lot that most people would never understand. Okay. I don’t understand. But we’re going to have to get through that.”
Shaw told the teen his troubles cannot be used as a crutch for the rest of his life.
“You’re going to have to move on from all of that and move on from this and be a productive member of society. You are a smart kid! You have gone through some things I just can’t fathom. Okay? I need you to continue to work the system and get help. Okay?” Shaw said.
In delivering his decision, the judge said arrangements would be made for the grandmother to continue visiting the teen during his placement and he assessed:
- two years probation in the care and custody of the chief probation officer for the purpose of placement
- upon release, there will be three to six months of ISP
- curfew 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- attend school with good behavior and no unexcused absences
- individual and family counseling.
- random drug testing
- victim services programming
- 100 hours of community service
- random searches of room, person and electronics
- no posting of illegal activity on social media
- provide all screen names and passwords for social media
- no contact with Rhodes Middle School
- no possession or access to ammunition, weapons or anything flammable, explosives, lighters or matches