“It was an opportunity that, in a 14-year-old's eyes, was at the perfect time and at the perfect moment,” said the boy’s mother.

She told Channel 4 Action News reporter Amber Nicotra that her son is in a medically-induced coma in critical but stable condition at UPMC Mercy hospital and will require surgery, especially plastic surgery to the left side of his face.

The boy’s mother said she’s not letting her son off the hook, but feels the owner of the vehicle should have been more responsible.

“I'm not downplaying my son's role in taking something that didn't belong to him, but I am saying they actually left their keys in the car and the vehicle could have been taken by anybody,” she said.

She said she also blames the Jeep owner's boyfriend for following her son and calling police.

“He had no right to chase my son, which it could have been a situation. Maybe it could have been just a joyride down the street. Maybe he wanted to go farther than he felt like walking,” she said.

But the owner of the Jeep, Melissa Leon, told Channel 4 Action News she left her keys in her purse, meaning the boy must have gone through her things to find them.

“She’s telling me I’m irresponsible? You didn’t even know where your child was. Where were you?” Leon said. “I worked four jobs while I went to school, approximately 100 hours a week. I had bought my car (with) cash that was mine."

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Robin Mungo said leaving keys in the car may be irresponsible, but not against the law.

“There is no law that says you cannot keep your keys in your vehicle. Now is that careless? Yes it is, but it is not against the law,” said Mungo.

I suppose if the mother thinks it's normal for a fourteen year old to commit a crime simply because he was faced with the opportunity, the child wouldn't know much different either.

I didn't know this thread was about downloading.