Teen's Mom Speaks Out On Her Son and 'Explosive' Chemicals

"It's ridiculously blown out of proportion."

That's how the mother of the 16-year-old Cedar Creek High School student arrested  Tuesday described her son after local police found items at his home that could cause an explosion.

"He really cares about people," she said. "He's kind, he's loving, he's brilliant...I think this is fear because of what just happened in Connecticut."

The mother of the high school junior asked us not to identify her or her son. He may be sitting in a juvenile detention center, but she says he's a fine young man who volunteers to help senior citizens and was once a Boy Scout. She says his passion for collecting old stuff, taking it apart and rebuilding things lead to this arrest.

"He takes the parts and he builds things with them. Good things," she explained.

But she understands authorities' concern in the wake of the mass shooting in Newtown, Conn.

"I think they did what they had to do, they were trained and you can't be too careful," she added.

The teenager was taken from his class at Cedar Creek High in Egg Harbor City after a teacher said he demonstrated behavior that caused concern. She saw him doodling in a notebook during class.

"He drew a glove with flames coming out of it," his mother said.

The discovery caused policed to search his home in this quiet, well to do neighborhood of half million dollar homes. They found electronic parts and several chemicals that when mixed together could cause an explosion. Investigators stressed  there was no threat or danger to the school or anyone else. The school was thoroughly searched, nothing was found.

"He is wonderful and I'm glad he's my son," she said. "I feel blessed."

The 16-year-old was charged as a juvenile with possession of an explosive device. His mother is hoping a judge will understand the circumstances and let her son come home from the juvenile detention center where he is being held before Christmas.