The mother of a Mount Vernon man beaten to death after allegedly trying to break into a home says she is heartbroken over the loss of her only child.

As News 12 has reported, 29-year-old Harold Bates – known by “Muddy” to his friends - was found bludgeoned to death with a metal pipe on Sept. 20. He was chased down the street by homeowner Troy George, who claims Bates was attempting to break into his home at 223 Street and Barnes Avenue. 

Celinda Bates says the claim about her son is hard to believe.

“He had a job. Why would he want to go and rob somebody?" she asks.

MORE: Mount Vernon man beaten to death in the Bronx 
 
Celinda Bates says her son commuted from Mount Vernon to Manhattan to work at a homeless shelter, and was loved by everyone in the community. She says he was at the job for two years.

A sign of love now grows for her son outside of her home on Reeds Mill Lane, about 2 miles from where he was killed.  The area now has candles and pictures and messages of memories past.

George was arrested and charged with murder.  He is expected back in court on Nov. 18.

A memorial will be held on Wednesday, and a funeral will be held on Thursday.

"I just hope I have justice for him. My child didn't have nothing on him. I just don’t understand how you can catch someone from behind and bludgeon them to death.. hit him in the head over and over again until his whole head is busted open. It doesn’t make sense," says Bates.