SAN ANTONIO -- A former neighbor of a 14-year-old boy charged with the murder of his mother says he was shocked -- but not surprised -- to learn about the deadly incident.

"It was the father ... he would fear a lot," said the man, who didn't want to be identified, in an exclusive interview with KSAT 12 News. "I've had a couple of confrontations with his father to where he yelled a lot at his boy.

"When I found out that happened ... I looked back and (thought), 'You know, something must have happened.'"

David Childress and his teenage neighbor, 14-year-old James Hartmangruber, are expected to face murder charges in connection with Meda Childress' death.

The two were seen dragging her body down a stairwell at a near North Side apartment complex on Sept. 22. The boys were spooked by a witness and then fled the scene. Later that day, they surrendered to authorities. The two remain in juvenile custody pending hearings that will determine if they will stand trial as juveniles or adults.

The man, who said he lived next to the Childress family for several years, said David Childress was a "very quiet" and "very scared" boy who kept to himself.

The former neighbor said he first met Childress when he was 8 years old and wished he would have called authorities.

He added that if Childress is certified to stand trial as an adult, he doesn't deserve a harsh punishment.

"Not years and not the death penalty," he said. "If anything, he needs to get some help, professional help."