The family of Caleb Rijos, a 14-year-old boy who was killed in Mott Haven in an unprovoked stabbing attack last month, is calling on elected leaders to better protect others from those with mental illness. Caleb’s mother, Jennifer Baez, spoke for the first time on Friday. “[Caleb] didn’t deserve that,” Baez said. “He was a good kid, a good student, a good friend, a good cousin. He didn’t deserve that at all.” Baez is raising awareness about a new petition, after police arrested and charged 29-year-old Waldo Mejia with her son's murder.

Investigators said Mejia has mental health issues and a wrap sheet, including another arrest in November 2024 for stabbing his neighbor’s doorbell camera. “I hope [Mejia] rots in hell, and he took my best friend from me,” Baez said. The family’s online petition proposes solutions, including a minimum five-year mandatory supervised release period and expanding psychiatric treatment with monthly evaluations. Nearly two weeks since they created the petition, the family collected about 1,000 signatures. They told News 12 their hope is to collect 2,000 signatures, but the main concern is to see permanent change. RELATED: Neighbors question why violent Mott Haven man was free before teen’s murder

“The system has failed not only us as a family, failed my son, but also failed the community,” said Baez. The mother is hoping that her plea pushes legislation and more reaction from local lawmakers. “My son deserves to be here with us right now,” Baez said.