Older Craigslist Killings Suspect Was a 'Mentor' to Arrested Teen
Carol Beasley said her son may have a criminal record, but he has a good heart.
Nov. 27, 2011— -- The mother of one of the Craigslist killings suspects said her son has a "caring heart" and even served as a mentor to the high school student who was arrested with him in connection with three murders and one attempted murder.
Richard Beasley, 52, who worked as an unpaid chaplain, was arrested on Nov. 16, along with Brogan Rafferty, 16, for allegedly luring victims through a job advertisement that was posted on Craigslist seeking extra help working on an Ohio cattle farm.
Victims were told to bring all of their belongings, as they would also be living on the farm, which does not exist.
"In my wildest dreams, I just couldn't imagine him harming someone," Carol Beasley said of her son.
Beasley, who has known Rafferty since the teen was 8 years old, said her son tried to help the boy, who she said had difficulty in school following his parents' divorce.
"Richard tried to mentor him, get him into history," she said, adding that Rafferty is "a really nice kid."
She said the boy and her son would go fishing, play video games and deliver food to the needy, according to ABC affiliate WEWS.
Although her son had previously spent time in jail and had been arrested on charges of aggravated trafficking in drugs and compelling prostitution, Carol Beasley said he was adamant he would never go back.
"Although he did a lot of types of things, it seems that he worked with people on the border -- drug addicts, street people -- I just don't know if he crossed over the line or what happened," she said.
Despite being a mentor and working with his church, Richard Beasley was struggling financially, his mother said.
Police said they believe robbery was the motive in the three murders and one attempted murder.
"I've lived long enough to know that you have to be prepared for anything," Beasley said. "I'm just praying they've got the wrong people."
Rafferty is being held at the Muskingum County Juvenile Detention Center, and Beasley is in custody at the Summit County Jail on a $1 million bond.
A judge has imposed a gag order so that no further information about the case could be released.
ABC News' Christina Ng contributed to this report