On October 12th, 2009 we were all shocked and horrified by the story of 15-year-old Michael Brewer, Deerfield Beach, Florida resident, who was doused in alcohol and set on fire by other teens.
Three teens are being charged and tried as adults in Broward County. This outragious form of bullying is not only unacceptable it leaves us questioning what is happening with some of our teens today? What prompts a child/teen to this type of violence?
Recently Michael Brewer received his third skin graft today (12/14/09) and he is currently listed in stable condition, according to Dr. Nicholas Namias, Medical Director of the UM/JM Burn Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
More than $100,000 has been raised on Michael's behalf, and the family has gotten a massive outpouring of support. Locally there have been many fund raisers. For more information you can visit Neigbors Helping Neighbors which has created a fund for the family of Michael Brewer.
In November, Michael Brewers parents were on The Early Show shortly after Michael was able to share his story to detectives.
According to The Early Show: His mother, Valerie Brewer, told "Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith Wednesday Michael is making progress in "leaps and bounds. (Tuesday) in physical therapy, they actually had him up, walking up and down the stairs."
Michael's physician, Dr. Nicholas Namias, the head of Jackson Memorial's burn center, says Michael "still has significant hurdles ahead. They're not dramatic hurdles every day, they're hard work hurdles for him, over the long haul. ... He has to go to physical therapy every day. And it hurts. Every motion, every movement, because his major joints really all are affected. Every motion that you and I take for granted hurts him."
Related stories: CBS News 48 Hours, CBS News, Florida Sun-Sentinel, Miami Herald, Good Morning America, Michael Brewer Foundation on Facebook
UPDATE: New details describe events to setting Michael Brewer on fire - click here.
UPDATE: Defendant's mother speaks out on the Today Show - click here.
Take two minutes to watch the video below about this story.
Comments
It's not "teens" today. It's a group of uneducated, misled, screwups...This type of behavior does not happen everywhere by all teens!!!
Jack- You are absolutely right - thankfully not all teens are like that. I also believe the majority are good kids - we just need to help those that are struggling and try to understand how we can change this behavior. Thanks for pointing this out - I appreciate it!
Sherry Jarvis the mother of two of the Florida teens involved was just on the Today Show. Her younger son witnessed Michael being set on fire (no charges)and her older son doused him with alcohol and has been charged. This mother had the audacity to say that there are two sides to every story. What justification does she think could possibly make a difference? Had she been a parent who educates her kids about right and wrong and the consequences of committing such a heinous crime, her kids would not be in the position of harming another child. Had her kids known better, they could have talked the others out of doing this horrific thing and Michael would be living the life of a normal teenager, intead of living the rest of his life scarred and in pain due to a senseless and criminal act.
Ross Ellis
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Love Our Children USA
This was attempted murder and should be treated accordingly. They knew.
They should all get LIFE without the possibility of parole! EVER! They gave Michael a LIFE sentence. He will never, EVER be the same. A body full of scars... and what about his organs??? THEY KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING AND WHAT IT WOULD DO TO MICHAEL. DISGUSTING. Their parents did a fine job didn't they!
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