Mother hits 12-year-old son with hammer, sprays him in the face with pepper spray, police say

A confrontation inside a vehicle escalated into violence, resulting in a 12-year-old boy seeking refuge. The boy's account to police included being hit with a blunt object and exposed to a chemical agent. He was found in a state of distress, attempting to cleanse himself.

The incident reportedly occurred while the boy and his mother were traveling. The mother's version of events differed significantly from the boy's. Further details about the incident are available, including the mother's response to police questioning and the events that preceded the confrontation.