Interesting choice of word. You cuddle children (and maybe your partner) but hug adults.
Everyone has different ways of saying things. In this situation with a teenager who's allegedly in a bad state I don't think it's necessarily a 'wrong' word to use as it implies vulnerability in the person being 'cuddled' in a more prolonged hugging and comforting scenario than the word 'hug' which often has a briefer duration.
I'm not saying you're wrong, only that I think it's worth looking at all angles rather than simply using words against someone due to suspicion.