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November 11, 2009 1:53 PM

Michael Brewer Case: Mom Apologizes for Son Who Allegedly Set 15-Year-Old on Fire

Posted by Edecio Martinez
(MySpace Photo)
Photo: Michael Brewer.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (CBS/AP) "You would never imagine in a million years that your child would even have something to do with that," said the mother of one of three teens accused of setting 15-year-old Michael Brewer on fire, reports the Sun Sentinel.

"We are very, very sorry for what has happened to this little boy, Michael Brewer," said Cheri Bent, who spoke publicly for the first time Tuesday.

(CBS/BSO)
Photo: Matthew Bent.

Cheri Bent described her son, Matthew, as a helpful teen who would mow neighbors' yards, volunteer at church yard sales, did his homework and was an avid basketball player, the local paper reports.

Matthew Bent is one of three teens charged with one count each of attempted second-degree murder in connection to the Oct. 12 attack on Michael Brewer in Deerfield Beach, Fla. that was allegedly sparked by a disagreement over a video game that Brewer took but did not pay for, and a bike that the accused took as revenge.

According to the Broward County State Attorney's office, Denver Jarvis, 15, is accused of pouring rubbing alcohol on Brewer.

Jesus Mendez, 16, is accused of lighting Brewer on fire, and Bent is accused of directing the attack.

Brewer has remained hospitalized in critical condition, recovering from second and third-degree burns over two-thirds of his body.

More at Sun Sentinel

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
October 23, 2009 - Michael Brewer, Boy Burned by Bullies, Getting Better
October 16, 2009 - Boy Burned By Bullies, Michael Brewer’s Horrifying 911 Call
October 15, 2009 - Boy Burned by Bullies, Mother Says Michael Brewer Staying Strong

Tags:
boy on fire ,
michael brewer ,
cheri bent ,
jesus mendez ,
denver Jarvis ,
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Add a Comment See all 14 Comments
by anti-global3 November 12, 2009 9:17 AM EST
My response would be not good enough, bring the little P.O.S. here so I can pour some gas on him and set him on fire. It is the only fair thing to do.
Reply to this comment
by PaGuy1960 November 12, 2009 7:28 AM EST
Parents are always the last to know..
Reply to this comment
by askagain November 12, 2009 12:19 AM EST
Somehow it is hard to believe that this woman's son is as good as she believes. Perhaps she ignored or didn't see signs of problems. Normal people do not set people on fire. It is hard to imagine that a good person with the proper upbringing and guidance would ever participate in something like this.
Reply to this comment
by casionova November 12, 2009 5:06 AM EST
"Normal people do not set people on fire."

Never were truer words said :o)
by TheKracken November 11, 2009 9:10 PM EST
Who is Mathew Brewer? I thought his name was Michael. Mr Martinez - pay attention.
Reply to this comment
by KPeters_from_UK November 12, 2009 2:42 AM EST
I do believe you are the one that is confused. There is not one mention of Matthew Brewer however there is a Matthew Bent and a Michael Brewer. Go back and check again. I would like to take this opportunity to direct one's attention to how readers who are determined to find fault or blame will find their "evidence". I see this behaviour more and more in the comments. People: Please read carefully before jumping to conclusions.
by casionova November 12, 2009 5:06 AM EST
Mathew Brewer is mentioned in the headline, TheKracken is not confused.
by Brokennews November 11, 2009 6:53 PM EST
I once had grease from a frying pan sloshed over the edge & hit the top of my foot (I was in sandals)It burned a 4" X 3" area on the top of my foot & I can tell you the pain was almost unbearable and it lasted for weeks. The Doc said it was second degree burns. I cannot imagine the pain involved in this kids burns. I could see with that kind of pain that he at times wished they would have just killed him.
Reply to this comment
by rainbowroosie November 11, 2009 7:46 PM EST
Maybe the mother is sorry, but is her monster kid? He's probably laughing about it in lock up.
by lin1945-2009 November 11, 2009 5:33 PM EST
The three young men in this case all deserve to serve subtantial time incarcerated. They have no idea the pain and struggles when your body is so badly burned. We do not need people like this wandering around the world.
Reply to this comment
by us_1776 November 11, 2009 3:46 PM EST
The problem is that kids see so much violence these days on TV and in video games that they do not have the proper perspective to understand that you cannot just push Reset and do over. These types of decisions result in permanent life changing events for all parties involved.
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by MystikOne November 11, 2009 5:20 PM EST
Common... Really? Are people still blaming TV and Video Games for attacks? That's like saying the gun pulled the trigger by itself and didn't know that a bullet would come out. Wake up! People are responsible for their own actions. If they can tell the difference between entertainment and reality, then they should be committed.
by jtdev1 November 11, 2009 3:14 PM EST
Eye for an Eye - Burn them!
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