Burned teen Michael Brewer holding on to life; prognosis grim

[HJSWritergal]

We all know about bullies and how awful they
can be. However this goes way beyond something
like that, and prompts me to ask, what the hell
is wrong with our children? God help them all, but
my strongest prayers go to Michael Brewer and
his family. HJS
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ARTICLE REPRINTED FROM THE MIAMI HERALD ONLINE
Burned teen Michael Brewer holding on to life; prognosis grim
With his parents holding a vigil at his bedside, 15-year-old Michael Brewer is clinging to life after he was set on fire by a group of classmates.

Two more teens were charged in the setting afire of 15-year-old Michael Bower on Sunday. Five boys altogether surrounded Bower, drenched him with rubbing alcohol, ignited him with a lighter.
The Miami Herald

BY DIANA MOSKOVITZ AND JULIE BROWN

Four days ago, Michael Brewer Jr. was celebrating his 15th birthday with his family, a happy teenager doing back flips in the swimming pool.

On Wednesday, the slight, blonde-haired teenager was heavily bandaged in intensive care at the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Burn Center, suffering from burns on 65 percent of his body. Gone were his eyebrows and eyelashes, along with most of the hair on the right side of his head. If he survives, his recovery will take months, say doctors.

The Deerfield Beach seventh-grader was burned by five schoolmates who attacked him during a squabble over a video game and a bicycle, according to authorities.

The only one to confess and show remorse for the act was the boy who set fire to Brewer, Jesus Mendez, 15, authorities said. He allegedly told a Broward Sheriff's Office deputy he made ``a bad decision'' and just wanted to see what would happen.

His sister, Malissa Durkee, said Wednesday the one encouraging sign is that he opens his eyes every time he hears his mother's voice.

``It's a sign of, `I'm a survivor' -- saying, `Mom, I'm gonna make it through this and I'm gonna be back and I'm gonna be the Michael that I am,' '' she said.

The last time she saw him, walking out the door Monday, she recalled telling him, ``I love you, buddy.''

His parents have been at his bedside around the clock.

``We just don't understand why anyone would do this,'' said his mother, Valerie.

Knowing that two of the teens made light of what happened to BSO investigators only added to his family's misery.

``It's bad to feel hatred for other people, but what they did, they could have stopped,'' said Danny Martinez, Brewer's brother-in-law.

``They were five kids. One of them could have said, `Hey, no, don't do this.' They didn't. They all just went and did this. For them, it was just a laugh, but for Michael it's gonna be a lifetime,'' Martinez said.

The suspects' lawyers, however, said the boys didn't fully understand the gravity of what happened and were confused and scared in court.

``You have cameras, reporters, a judge telling you what you're charged with. If you are a young child, many times it's just overwhelming,'' said Stephen Melnick, who represents the youngest of the boys, Jeremy Jarvis, 13.

Authorities say Brewer, who was affectionately called ``Mikey,'' was cornered by the boys Monday afternoon, a day after one of them, Matthew Aaron Bent, 15, allegedly tried to steal a bicycle from the Brewer home in the 1400 block of South Deerfield Ave.

According to BSO, Bent was trying to take the bike as payment for a $40 video game that he had sold to Brewer.

The Brewers called police. Bent was arrested on theft charges and released Monday.

That same day, fearing retaliation, Brewer stayed home from school. He left the house in the afternoon, telling his sister he was going to meet some friends.

According to witnesses and Mendez's confession, Bent ordered them to pour rubbing alcohol over Brewer after surrounding him at an apartment complex in the 400 block of SE 13th Court. Denver Colorado Jarvis, 15, then doused him with the fluid. Shortly thereafter, Mendez took a lighter to him and Brewer went up in flames.

Two other boys, Jarvis' brother, Jeremy, and Steven Shelton, 15, stood by saying nothing, according to BSO.

Brewer ran to a swimming pool and jumped in -- a move that doctors said may have saved his life.