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Tennage boy set on fire by 5 classmates
Jeremy Jarvis, left, and his brother Denver are among five teenagers charged in the attack.
Mom of teen set on fire: ‘This violence has to stop’
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The mother of a South Florida teenager who authorities say was set on fire by five classmates made an emotional plea this morning.
“This violence has to stop,” Valerie Brewer said on NBC’s “Today” show this morning. “Kids in schools are stabbing each other. What they did to my son, we have to stop this. Our children are our future.”
Michael Brewer was attacked at a Deerfield Beach apartment complex Monday afternoon. Authorities say five teenagers called him a snitch, then poured rubbing alcohol on the 15-year-old and set him on fire.
Brewer’s troubles started when 15-year-old Matthew Bent gave him a video game and expected him to pay $40 for it, Broward County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Jim Leljedal. Brewer never paid for the game, so Bent tried to steal a $500 custom bike that belonged to Brewer’s father, Leljedal said.
Brewer called authorities over the weekend and Bent was arrested, then released Monday. Valerie Brewer said her son was terrified to go to his middle school Monday.
“I called the school resource office, and we set up an appointment for the next morning to talk to her about getting a plan to keep him safe, and it was too late,” Brewer said, her voice choking.
Michael Brewer told deputies that while he was sitting by the apartment’s swimming pool, he was splashed with rubbing alcohol and set ablaze.
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Crimes among teens are becoming more violent. This bizarre incident could have been prevented. It is a shame that the life of a teenager was jeopardized due to an insignificant issue among classmates that could have easily been resolved.
Michael Brewer’s mother made an emotional plea to stop violence among teens. It is crucial to provide children and teens with the necessary tools to successfully resolve problems of bullying and violence. Brewer did the right thing by reporting the incidents that lead to the attacks.
Many students fear peer retaliation and consequently refuse to report things they know.SchoolTipline is working hard to engage students in their program. It is important to create a safe environment in schools in order to prevent violent incidents such as this one.
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