Mother charged in teenager's bomb case

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 8 (UPI) -- A North Carolina mother is being held responsible for an exploding pen her teenage son took to school.

Tracy Bauguess, 37, is charged with malicious use of explosives causing injury and possession of a weapon of mass destruction. She was due back in court Monday, The Charlotte Observer reported.

Her attorney says she did not know her sons were experimenting with explosives, but prosecutors said she must have because a hole was blown in her bedroom wall and explosive materials and singe marks were found throughout the house. Three firefighters were hurt when materials they were testing exploded.

Police have charged Jessie Bauguess, 16, for the exploding pen and the chemicals in the family's home. Prosecutors say the pen was intended for a teacher. His younger brother was also arrested.

Police say the boy intended the pen for a teacher at Turning Point Academy, but another student was injured when he handled it Oct. 18, suffering burns and other wounds. He is in jail under $500,000 bond, jail records show.