PORT LEYDEN — State police say a 14-year-old boy threatened his mother with a knife early May 10 and forced her to drive him to Boonville, where he hoped to steal beer.

The juvenile was charged Friday with second-degree counts of assault and menacing. He remains in his mother's custody, but "we are working with the Probation Department" about possible placement of the youth, an investigator said.

Lewis County Family Court will handle the case. Because of his juvenile status, police did not identify him or his mother.

The boy had consumed an excessive amount of cough syrup before the incident, police said. He demanded that his mother give him beer and threatened her with a knife when she refused, police said. He also held the weapon to the throat of a 16-year-old cousin who was an overnight guest, causing a bruise, police said.

His mother agreed to drive him to Boonville, where he was unsuccessful in his anticipated beer theft, police said. At some point during the trip, the mother or the cousin managed to call state police, and troopers were able to intercept the family car when it returned to Port Leyden, police said.