shes brave of course, but brave and smart are 2 different things. I think taking him to see Ciccio is a dumb, very dumb move, regardless of what she told the men, she should've hid her son somewhere, with another family or something, and then go risk her own life by asking for mercy-alone. If someone is going to kill you sooner or later, you dont simply show up and say "lets see if hes gonna kill me today, I'll run away if he shows no mercy..."

besides, knowing they're after Vito, she should've hid him in another house whether she does go to ask for mercy or not. If they're going to search the house, they wont find my son. Thats my logic, thats what I would've done.