Why Miley Cyrus' VMAs Date's Mother Is 'Proud' of Her Son
Jesse Helt's mother speaks out after news breaks of warrant for his arrest.
— -- News broke Tuesday that Miley Cyrus' MTV VMAs date Jesse Helt had a warrant out for his arrest in his native Oregon.
Helt's mother, Linda Helt, spoke to ABC News and focused on the good he accomplished at the award show, speaking out about youth homelessness and raising awareness.
"I'm proud of him for that, that he stood up and made a difference," she told ABC News late Tuesday night.
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She continued, "He wanted to make it on his own, number one. He wanted to be responsible for his actions. ... I think he needed to grow up," she said of his past, living in shelters all across Los Angeles.
Helt, 22, was reportedly heading home Tuesday, according to his mother, via a plane ticket Cyrus herself bought for her VMAs date so he could go see his family.
Officials added that Helt would be arrested if police found him due to a probation violation and active warrant stemming from his original arrest in 2010 for "criminal mischief," among other charges.
He pleaded guilty/no contest to the charges and received probation, which he violated the next year, authorities said.
Cyrus tweeted Tuesday, adding "People who are homeless have lived very hard lives. Jesse included."
"I hope that this can be the start of a national conversation about youth homelessness and how to end it," she added.
Cyrus also added her distaste for the coverage of Helt instead of youth homelessness in general.