Boy who killed mother told family she was sick

A 17-year-old boy has told US police he shot dead his mother and returned home several times over the next two days to feed two younger half-siblings, telling them she was ill and not to disturb her.

Police captain John Sharp said a family acquaintance found the body of 34-year-old Tamila Wooley in her bedroom in a gated community in Walker, Louisiana, on Wednesday.

The teenager, who was stopped early yesterday in his mother’s Lexus car, told investigators he shot her late on Sunday or early Monday.

Mr Sharp said he was arrested for second-degree murder.

The younger children, aged two and 11, have been placed in state custody until relatives arrive.