The mother of an Effingham County teenager charged in with hitting another teen with an axe handle says her son was trying to defend himself and another youngster.

Lisa Mercer said her son is an exceptional student and an exceptional child.

“My son was protecting himself and his 11-year-old friend,” she said Monday afternoon.

Mercer said she did not see any of the events that led to her son allegedly hitting a 15-year-old with an axe handle July 1 but has spoken with witnesses to the incident. The 15-year-old was taken to Memorial Health University Medical Center and is said to be in stable condition.

“He doesn’t deserve to be where he’s at,” she said.

A detention hearing was held last Thursday and her son was not released from the youth detention center in Claxton.

The investigation is still ongoing.