Utica mother charged after 11-year-old son linked to crime spree across city
UTICA, NY – Police in Utica have charged a 36-year-old woman with endangering the welfare of a child after her 11-year-old son was tied to a string of felony and misdemeanor offenses, including robbery, burglary, and vehicle theft.
On August 19, officers from the Patrol Division and Juvenile Aid Unit arrested Nurto Mohamed, accusing her of failing to exercise due diligence in controlling her child.
Police say the boy has been involved in at least four felony acts and multiple misdemeanors since the start of the year. Earlier this month, he and a 12-year-old accomplice allegedly broke into several vehicles, stole two of them, and drove through the city causing additional property damage.
Because of his age, the 11-year-old cannot be criminally charged. However, after consultations with the District Attorney’s Office, investigators determined that Mohamed could face the rarely used endangerment charge due to what officials described as the “overwhelming” public nuisance caused by her son’s repeated actions.
Authorities said Mohamed had been made aware of her son’s behavior on multiple occasions and was offered support services. Police emphasized that while they hope to avoid using this charge in the future, they will consider it in similar cases if parents fail to intervene.
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Key Points
- Utica police charged 36-year-old Nurto Mohamed with endangering the welfare of a child
- Her 11-year-old son has been linked to multiple felonies and misdemeanors, including robbery and car theft
- Police say the boy is too young to face charges, but his mother is being held accountable