Mom of teen found with guns in bedroom turns herself in on felony charge

UNIONTOWN, Pa. — "Get out of the way."

That was the only thing Lenora Hendrix had to say to Channel 11 moments after she turned herself in Tuesday to face a single felony charge for possession of a firearm by a minor.

Her 14-year-old son was found with guns and ammunition in his bedroom last month after state police say they foiled a potentially catastrophic situation at Uniontown High School.

"It very well could've been a disaster if it wasn't for a classmate or another student who had the sense enough to talk to her parents about what she heard ... they're the heroes – it's not us,” said Trooper Robert Broadwater.

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Inside the teen's bedroom on National Pike in Markleysburg, police say they found five guns, bulk ammunition and knives.

Hendrix allegedly told police she let her son keep guns in his room to teach him responsibility and “let him grow up.”

"He's 14 years old,” said Broadwater. “He's a juvenile; parents are responsible for their children, at least til they're 18."

"You know, she's concerned for her son, concerned for herself but foremost her son,” said defense attorney Shane Gannon. “It's a difficult process for her."

Gannon said he couldn't speak to how her son is doing, but said Lenora has never been in trouble.
"Lenora is a good person, good mother, she has no record, not even a traffic ticket," he said. "This is all foreign to her."

Investigators still looking into who bought the guns for the 14-year-old, who faces charges in juvenile court.

Hendrix was released on $20,000 unsecured bond. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 9 at 1:30 p.m.