Teen accused of beating foster mother, stealing car

WEST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A West Philadelphia teenager is accused of beating his foster mother and then stealing her car before getting into an accident.

Only Action News was there as the 15-year-old suspect was escorted into Southwest Detectives for questioning.

The teen faces some very serious charges after police say he brutally beat his foster mother, Mamie Chess, inside their home on the 400 block of North Daggett Street Monday morning.

Investigators say an argument over him staying out too late early this morning escalated into the attack.

Police say the teen hit the 70-year-old woman with a table, threw her down stairs, smashed her with a picture frame, and poured an unknown liquid on her.

After receiving an anonymous 911 call from Pottstown, medics found Chess unconscious and bloody inside the home around 9:00 a.m., approximately five hours after the attack.

"She's suffering from multiple contusions, a cut to the head, she also has a fractured sternum," Lt. John Walker of the Philadelphia Police Department said.

Police say the juvenile stole his foster mother's 2008 Chevy Trailblazer after beating her. He crashed into another vehicle around 10:00 a.m. on Diamond Rock Road in Tredyffrin Township injuring two people.

Neighbors and friends say Ms. Mamie, as they call her, was a kind lady who raised foster children for much of her life.

"She was just soft, kind, always speak when you passed by and say hi to her, very kind hearted and soft woman," Stevens said.

Chess is listed in critical, but stable condition at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

The teen has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, robbery, and related offenses.

The district attorney is deciding whether the teen will be tried as an adult.