By Meghan Keneally, Associated Press, Snejana Farberov and Daily Mail Reporter PUBLISHED: 12:52 EST, 25 July 2013 | UPDATED: 14:32 EST, 25 July 2013 The mother of the 16-year-old boy accused of killing his half-brother and burying him in the family’s Menifee, California yard has spoken publicly for the first time to say she’s standing behind her son. Shawna Smith isn’t saying whether whether or not Skylor Atilano killed her younger son Terry Smith Jr., 11, only that the jailed teen is frightened and she intends to be there for him. ‘I love him and I'm going to stand behind him no matter what,’ said Smith, who is now without all three of her children after her daughter was placed in protective services in the wake of the murder accusations.
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Shawna Smith gives first public statement since 11-year-old Terry Smith Jr. was found dead July 10
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Smith's mother realized her son was missing after his teenage half-brother babysat the night before
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The 11-year-old's body was found buried in a shallow grave near the home with the help of psychic
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Police Smith's 16-year-old son and charged him with Terry's murder on Friday
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A hearing will be held to see if the teen will be tried as an adult or child
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The two boys, who had different fathers, lived with their mother and her lesbian partner in California
Charged: @placeholder, 16, attends his first court appearance after being charged in the murder of his 11-year-old brother.