TACOMA - The strange case of Semaj Booker, the 11-year-old who's famous for getting past Sea-Tac security and boarding a jet, took another twist Thursday when a judge questioned the fitness of his mother to care for him and her other children.

The boy was back in Pierce County Juvenile Court to determine if he knows right from wrong, after he was charged earlier with residential burglary.

But then the judge dropped a bombshell.

Judge Frank Cuthbertson said he's concerned about what he calls a pattern of reports by Child Protective Services alleging both physical abuse and neglect inside young Booker's home.

He said those reports have been filed in Texas, Illinois, King and Pierce counties.

He then ordered a review of Sakinah Booker's fitness as a parent, saying the records indicate "a pattern of behavior that causes the court significant concern."

The question has been bubbling under the surface ever since Semaj stole a car, led police on a chase, made his way to Sea-Tac Airport twice and once even managed to get on a plane. Two weeks ago, he was arrested for burglary. And this week, a staff report shows he destroyed a mattress and got in trouble for fighting.

During the same period there have been questions about violence between the boy's mother and her boyfriend, and further questions about why young Booker missed 43 days of school last year.

Now the judge is asking the boy's probation officer to request a dependency hearing, which means a court could decide if Semaj and his siblings should remain in the home.

Ultimately, it means Sakinah Booker could lose custody of all five of her children if the decision goes against her.

She reacted with an outburst to the judge's ruling and walked out of the courtroom.

Then the judge continued today's hearing to next week, to wait for a mental evaluation that the judge said was ordered in April 2007.

Deputy Prosecutor Fred Wist said the outcome of the dependency action would have no effect on the criminal case against Semaj.

"What I'm thinking the court's anticipating is having all the documents that he referenced today, hopefully having the copy of this psychological evaluation that was ordered previously by CPS," he said.

And the court handled yet another matter today.

Semaj's attorneys asked the judge to close the hearing - essentially to keep out the media. The judge denied that motion.