"I did not mean to hurt you," says boy who pushed shopping cart on woman

(CBS/AP) NEW YORK - A 13-year-old arrested for pushing a shopping cart that fell from a fourth-floor mall walkway and seriously injured a woman wrote in a letter to his victim that he feels regret for his actions, says the boy's lawyer.

Attorney Shahabuddee Ally said the boy wanted help for his behavioral problems. He also wrote letters to the judge and to the victim, Marion Salmon Hedges to express his remorse.

"I did not mean to hurt you. My actions were stupid. I hope you feel better," the letter said, according to his attorney.

After he and his 12-year-old friend were arrested Oct. 30 for the shopping cart incident, city lawyer Leah S. Schmelzer said the teen joked around at the precinct . She also said he seemed to be more concerned about his sneakers than about the seriously hurt victim who was slammed by the shopping cart while out buying Halloween candy.

Hedges, 47, was in a medically induced coma for a period of time after the cart fell on her. She will need months of rehabilitation, her husband said.

The boy and his friend pleaded guilty to assault last month. They are charged as juveniles and could face a punishment up to 18 months in a juvenile facility and that time could be extended annually until their 18th birthdays.

The 13-year-old is due in court for sentencing later this month and the 12-year-old will be in court Wednesday.