EXCLUSIVE: Mother of James Foley speaks with FOX 5 about Jihadi John, Paris attacks

WASHINGTON - The attacks on Paris came after the United States launched airstrikes that likely killed an ISIS militant known as "Jihadi John."

Mohammed Emwazi, a Kuwaiti-born British citizen, is believed to be the man who took part in the filmed executions of western journalists that included American James Foley.

Foley's mother, Diane, told FOX 5's Laura Evans that the purported death of Jihadi John has brought her "small solace."

"It doesn't bring Jim back, so in general, I tend to feel that violence just begets more violence," she said. "But obviously, he was a deranged, very sad person who would have continued to hurt others."

Foley said the U.S. government notified her about the drone strikes that is believed to have killed Emwazi.

"They are trying much harder to alert us as opposed to previously," said Foley. "They're much more aware, which I'm very grateful for. So we did have a heads-up that this had happened."

Foley called the terrorist attacks on Paris frightening because as an American, she said, "We know they hate us just as much. And it saddens me that we didn't pay attention to this threat when it was a smaller one."

Since his death, Diane Foley has been working hard in the creation of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation.

"Jim really cared about giving voice to those who don't have any," she said. "One of our first agendas has been to give support to American hostage families.

"We hope to do more in terms of actually advocating for the return of American hostages and global safety initiatives for conflict journalists."

The foundation is also working to help children who do not have access to education.

Foley believes the U.S. government does need to do more for families of hostages.

"I think this is a frightening time in the world. I think this could happen to anybody -- any journalist, aid worker, student academic could be captured and held captive in a foreign country, so I think it's a very important issue," she said. "I think our government is trying to hear us and I'm grateful for that."

When reflecting on the recent terrorism incidents from around the world along with the death of her son, Foley said, "It's just horrific and we need as a country to take all of this so seriously. It's long overdue. I can't help but think if they had taken Jim's captors seriously way back when instead of ignoring it then, we might be way ahead of the game."