The mother of a Christchurch teen filmed attempting to break into a vehicle at a shopping centre car park says her family has been failed by the system, and now the public is suffering the consequences.
The video, which shows a teenager smashing his way into a car with a tool before fleeing in a stolen vehicle on Thursday night, has been widely shared online.
But behind the shocking footage is a story of heartbreak, abuse, and systemic failure.
Speaking exclusively to chrislynchmedia.com, the teen’s mother said she is devastated by his actions, but not surprised.
“He needs to take accountability for this,” she said. “But as a mum, I’m not putting up with it anymore. He’s no longer living with me because of his violence and intimidation. I’m scared of my own son.”
The mother said her son was removed from her care when he was four years old and spent most of his childhood in the care of Oranga Tamariki.
“I’ll never forget the night they took him. It was just before his fifth birthday. They said I wasn’t safe, and I wasn’t. I was battling addiction and living in a violent home. But what happened next destroyed us both.”
Screen-shot of teen breaking into a car at a Christchurch mall.
She said her son was returned to her care with little warning when he was 12-years-old, despite years of supervised contact orders and little support from the state.
“They just sent him back to me like he was in the too-hard basket. No help, no preparation. And he came back to a home that was still broken. I was addicted to meth and still in a violent relationship.
“I wasn’t a safe place for him, and I own that. But I didn’t have a choice.”
The mother said her son was emotionally and physically abused in multiple placements, something she said even some of his caregivers now acknowledge. By the time he returned home, he was already deeply affected.
“He didn’t understand what was happening. All those years I was painted as this huge danger, then suddenly we were under the same roof again. It made no sense to him. It broke something in him.”
Now seven and a half months clean, the mother said she’s working hard to turn her life around. She’s studying, rebuilding relationships with her children and grandchildren, and trying to heal. But her son is spiralling.
“He goes to alternative school, has to check in with the courts, and is supposed to be monitored. But it’s not enough. He’s violent, he’s intimidating, and I had to trespass him from my home. I’m worried about what he’ll do to himself or others.”
“Please help apprehend him. I then can breathe safety myself,” she said.
She said she believes her son’s behaviour is a symptom of deep trauma, not just bad choices. But without real intervention, she fears the damage is already done.
“Unfortunately the damage to my son is so deep and impactful I’m worried he may not be able to see the potential he actually carries.”
“He’s not beyond saving. But he needs help. Real help. Not just a court order or a meeting once a month. He was failed. And now we’re all paying the price.”
Police have confirmed they are investigating the car break-in.
