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Mother of boy attacked by teens speaks out

Posted at 9:59 PM, May 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-15 13:57:46-04

A mother has accused a group of teens of terrorizing the neighborhood. It's been a violent week for a North Las Vegas neighborhood near Decatur Boulevard and Tropical Parkway, where police were called several times.

13 Action News first went out to the scene last week after at least 3 teens were beaten. On Saturday, our crew sat down with one of their mothers.

Ashley Smith says the attacks are happening just outside Palmilla Apartments, in the same spot of her son’s school bus stop. She says the victims are the students, and the attackers don't even live in the area.

Smith’s son was beaten by a group of teens, one of several fights police responded to last week. She says they all took place near the entrance of the apartment complex.

"These kids are beating people up every day,” said Smith.

Smith didn't want her face on camera and didn't want her son on TV at all because life has changed since the fight.

"I told him he can't leave the house at this point in time alone," she said. “I think that the police are doing absolutely everything that they can in their power right now, but I don't think there's enough officers on the street."

Smith says when she spoke with police about making an arrest, they told her she needed visual evidence such as a picture or video in order for them to take action.

"How are you supposed to get visual evidence if you're getting the crap beat out of you," she said.

She believes the group accused of the attacks will continue to grow. She's considering moving out. For now, she drives her son to school every day because she refuses to let him ride the bus again.