All Blog Posts from Crimesider

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. - Six weeks after a group of Florida teens doused 15-year-old Michael Brewer in rubbing alcohol and lit him on fire, burning over 65 percent of his body, one of the teens initially accused is speaking out and he claims he was "best friends" with the victim.

"I'm Jeremy Jarvis; I want to read something I wrote last night," the 13-year-old said Tuesday during a press conference.

"I want to express my deepest sympathy for Mikey and his family," he said. "I will pray for Mikey to grow stronger every day and have a speedy recovery."

Read full post…

MIAMI - His story captured the attention of the South Florida community and the world. A 15-year-old boy set on fire by five teenage friends in a dispute over money. Michael Brewer suffered burns over two-thirds of his body and now, his parents and grandmother have spoken exclusively to CBS affiliate WFOR reporter Shannon Hori.

His parents say their son hasn't been able to fully grasp what happened to him. But even with all the drugs he's on for the pain, he has horrible flashbacks. He asks for water in order to put out the flames.

Read full post…

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - "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.

Read full post…

NEW YORK - Michael Brewer, the South Florida boy who was set on fire by a group of teens is showing improvement, according to doctors who are treating him for severe burns.

Brewer, 15, is being treated at a burn center jointly run by the University of Miami and Jackson Memorial Hospital in Florida. The center director said Thursday teen's wounds have managed to stave off infection which is a common complication in severe burn cases.

Read full post…

MIAMI - Michael Brewer, the 15-year-old teen who police say was set ablaze by five other boys, screamed in agony as a breathless 911 caller pleaded for help because "a little boy just caught on fire," according to a recording released Friday.

Read full post…

MIAMI - "It's a complete nightmare."

That's from Valerie Brewer, whose 15-year-old son, Michael Brewer was doused with rubbing alcohol and set on fire after he turned in another teen for trying to steal his father's bicycle.

Brewer said her son was strong and would pull through despite the burns over much of his body, and in interviews this week, said that Michael couldn't talk but was communicating with her by motioning with his hands.

Read full post…