The mother of a Hopewell teen whose throat was slashed in what police described as a brutal attack pleaded yesterday for those with information about the assault to contact police.

Robin Rombach, Post-Gazette Michele Delon, left, is comforted by family member Ashley Jones during a news conference yesterday at Children's Hospital. Her son, Jeremy, 15, was found along the Ohio River in Hopewell beaten with his throat slashed and is in critical, but stable condition. Click photo for larger image. Information sought Anyone with information about the July 21 attack on Jeremy Delon should call Hopewell police at 724-378-0555.

Michele Delon of Hopewell spoke to the media yesterday about her son, 15-year-old Jeremy Delon, during a news conference at Children's Hospital, where the teen remained in critical condition.

"Jeremy is a good kid. He is my only child," Delon said yesterday. "I just plead and beg with anybody that knows anything to come forward."

Four of Delon's friends found him Thursday night along the Ohio River in Hopewell. He was beaten and unconscious with his throat slashed. He underwent surgery Friday.

Hopewell Police Chief Gene Ungarean said his detectives are actively investigating the attack and following up on leads. He declined to provide details.

Michele Delon, 36, said she would not discuss the investigation or her son's condition. A pink Beanie Baby bear was perched next to her on the table, and family members wore pink bracelets with the word "hope."

"Right now we need a lot of prayers and a lot of hope," Delon said. "He's a strong, strong boy, and he is fighting."

Delon said she was numb and unable to remember details of the past few days. Sometimes speaking about her son in the past tense, she said Jeremy had a typical day leading up to the attack. He played basketball and swam with friends.

"He had called me. He checks in with me," Delon said. "He wanted money to go to a pool party. Typical."

It was one of the few moments during the news conference when Delon smiled. Often, she struggled to maintain her composure.

Jeremy Delon will be a 10th-grader at Hopewell High School. His mother described him as mischievous, funny and most likely to be named the class clown when he graduates in 2008.

Aliquippa police began the investigation, but turned it over to Hopewell when it was discovered that the site of the attack was in Hopewell.

Ungarean said there was no lapse in the investigation despite the transfer of the case from one department to another.