Suspect's Mother Says 'Heart Is Broken' Over Slain Danvers Teacher

DANVERS (AP) — The mother of the Massachusetts teenager accused of killing his teacher inside a school bathroom is brokenhearted over the educator's death.

In a statement released Saturday by the lawyer for 14-year-old Philip Chism, the boy's mother asks for prayers for the family of Danvers High School teacher Colleen Ritzer.

The statement says Diana Chism's "heart is broken for the Ritzer family." It says she is struggling to understand what happened Tuesday, the day before Ritzer's body was found dumped in a wooded area behind the suburban Boston school.

The statement also says Diana Chism's son was "born in love" and that she "cares for the world's hurt" over Ritzer's death.

Philip Chism was arrested early Wednesday. He was arraigned on a murder charge and ordered held without bail.

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