PD: Mom told 15-year-old to drive car

MILFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- A Milford mother told the judge that she just got out of the hospital and has been sick with pneumonia for weeks. Now, she's charged with risk of injury and her 15-year-old son is charged with risk of injury, reckless driving, and operating a motor vehicle without a license.

39-year-old Nicole Perrelli went before a judge on Friday.

Police say Perrelli had her 15-year-old son drive her younger child to Live Oaks School on Thursday morning. Someone at the school saw the teen driver. Police say when the principal tried to talk to the boy, he drove off in a reckless manner.

"To know that there could be another child, you know, he's a little bit younger, he's 13, but to know there's a 15-year-old that could be driving right by me, next to me, that's a little bit scary. Yeah. Shouldn't be done," said Myra Pastore of Milford.

"A little scary. You don't know what's out there on the road," said Dave Shephard of Milford.

News 8 tried to talk to Perrelli as she left court.

"Can you get away from me please," said Perrelli.

We mapped out the drive from Perrelli's house to the school. It's 3.23 miles and should take about nine minutes for the drive. A busy road would be challenging for any young driver.

"And then to compound that by putting another child in the car, I think that was kind of reckless on everybody's part," said Nancy Corniello of Killingworth.

Connecticut law requires that a teen be 16-years-old before they can get a learner's permit. Once they pass their test and have their license, anyone under 18 has to wait an additional 6 months before they can drive their siblings. It's a full year before other passengers can ride a long as well.

As for parents we talked to in Milford, they say people need to know the laws and teach their children right from wrong.

"It's changed since my kids, they're all grown adults so it's changed," said Corniello.

"They actually made it harder," said News 8's Jacqui Slater.

"They do make it harder and there must be a reason why they do that, obviously, so, I would think they should just follow the rules," said Corniello.

"You agree with 16 to get your permit," asked News 8's Slater.

"Yes, 16. Actually, seventeen would be good," Shephard said laughing.

Perrelli's case has been continued to March 15.