MILWAUKEE- A mother's love for her son made her believe he was better off behind bars than on the streets.
"They need to lock him up in the detention center. He need to learn," explained Bernice Jackson, mother.
Despite her advice, Bernice Jackson says her son Desamon made friends with kids she didn't approve of.
"I told him, don't hang around the wrong crowd and don't go picking fights being a bully and stay out of trouble," she said.
Jackson says knowing her 16-year-old is involved with stealing cars is a nightmare.
"It's been hell, stressed. I can't sleep worrying I'm going to get a call about my son," explained Jackson.
She says her son would get in trouble and then he'd get to go home over and over again.
"The judge kept on letting him out," said Jackson.
Desamon spent the last three months at the Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center where Jackson says her son was having a rough time.
"They took food from kids, they beat the kids," explained Jackson.
Jackson now believes jail isn't the answer, but she doesn't know what it. She says her son has learned his lesson this time around.
TODAY'S TMJ4 reached out to the detention center for comment, but no one was available.
The juvenile was recently transferred to a facility in Waukesha where his mother says he's accused of car thefts.
