PITTSBURGH -- Police said the incident was a case of ethnic intimidation, but a Mt. Washington woman said what she found outside her home is a threat on her son's life.

Teresa Williams contacted the authorities after she found a doll with a noose tied around its neck hanging from the hood of her car Monday morning.

"(I) went outside to look at it and see what it was, and I noticed it was a baby doll, and the face was painted black," Williams said.

The doll also had a noose tied around its neck, and it had been slit apart and covered with ketchup stains. Most disturbing, though, was the discovery of her son's initials written on the doll's torso.

"His initials are on the front of the chest. There is obviously some sort of noose or whatever on the neck. There are slits in the wrist and stab or puncture wounds to the doll," said Williams.

The side of her car was also spray-painted with orange letters.

"It's unfortunate. I mean, I don't know why people are like this anymore," Williams said. "I thought these days were gone, but I guess not."

Police said they are investigating this as a case of ethnic intimidation and criminal mischief, both of which are misdemeanor offenses. Williams sees this as being more serious than that, though.

"I don't see it as a childish prank; I see it as a direct threat on my son's life," she said. "And to whoever did it, I will protect my son at all costs. But I'm going to pray for them because it's obvious that they need some prayer."

Williams said she will not be run out of her house or neighborhood. She plans to install security cameras to keep an eye on her property.