I know the timing is all wonky because she said she was 18 when she had Henry and Regina said he was 10 in the Pilot but I think it’s safe to assume she was arrested at 17 years of age (or younger) otherwise it wouldn’t have been a juvenile record. Whether or not she had her 18th birthday in jail and that’s when she gave birth to Henry is up for debate but either way.. all this crap went down when she was just a kid. A kid that never had anyone look out for her and guide her. She’s made some mistakes, no doubt.. but I think overall she’s done a good job of raising herself.
Being pregnant is a scary thing. Being pregnant at such an early age is even scarier. Being pregnant, young, and alone is even more scary. But the scariest I think? Being pregnant, young, alone, and in prison. She didn’t have many options. And every option was probably scary as hell. It’s a crap situation to be in. And I hope they actually show it some time.