Florida Boy Set On Fire

15 October, 2009

This morning on The Today Show, shown on Dish Network TV, guest Valerie Brewer talked about the tragic assault on her young son, Michael. The Deerfield Beach, FL, junior high student was set on fire by five classmates. Why? It was his punishment for not paying up $40 allegedly owed to one of the kids for a video game.

One of the boys reportedly tried to steal a $500 bike that belongs to Michael Brewer’s dad to compensate for the debt. Michael called the police to stop the theft. Thereafter that boy and four of his friends returned, doused a restrained Brewer in alcohol and intentionally set him on fire. Michael jumped quickly into a pool. The water did not put out the flames, but a neighbor ran over with a fire extinguisher and aided in putting out the remaining fire.

The mindset of Michael Brewer's attackers is particularly disturbing in that most showed litte or no remorse. Authorities have stated that a few of the boys were actually laughing when they admitted to their gruesome behavior. Today Michael Brewer, 15,  fights for his life in a Miami hospital with burns over almost 70% of his body. It will likely be months before he's able to go home

Where were the parents when this heinous attack was taking place? Where are the values in the attackers’ homes? What on earth in these children’s lives has influenced them to think that a debt of $40 justifies life-altering torture, pain and disfigurement? These boys are vicious, violent and sick, but they are boys.

Obviously something has occurred in their upbringing to bring about such volatile tendencies. Jesus Mendez, the 15 year old who set the fire, is facing charges of attempted second degree murder. Maybe their views are a result of parental influence; maybe they have had little guiding influence at all and are simply victims of neglect? Either way, something more than the children needs to be on trial here.