Nation Dad defends mom charged with killing their 12-year-old son: ‘Mental illness is real’ September 14, 2021 Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY Comments Off on Dad defends mom charged with killing their 12-year-old son: ‘Mental illness is real’ "He was the joy of my life," heartbroken father Lavell Ingram of Chicago said of his 12-year-old son's death. The boy's mom is charged with murder.