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Suspects' mom apologizes to burn victim

MIAMI (UPI) -- The mother of two Florida boys accused of setting a teenager ablaze apologized to the victim, who is in a hospital bed with burns over 65 percent of his body.

Sherry Jarvis's two sons and three other youths are accused of setting 15-year-old Michael Brewer on fire Oct. 12 in Fort Lauderdale, CNN reported Thursday.

Police detectives said witnesses saw a blazing Brewer run about a hundred yards, rip off his shirt and jump into a swimming pool. Police said the teens set Brewer on fire after a series of incidents that began when he didn't pay one of the suspects $40 for a video game.

"I'd just like to express how horribly sorry we are," Jarvis said in a statement Wednesday. "We pray for Michael's recovery every day, that he gets stronger, which we know in our hearts that he will.

Prosecutors earlier this week received more time to build their cases against the four 15-year-olds and one 13-year-old. Prosecutors have until Nov. 12 to charge four of the five as adults, or charge them all as juveniles. The 13-year-old cannot face adult charges under Florida law, but his status could change if Brewer dies.

Brewer is on a ventilator to help him breathe and remains heavily sedated, CNN said.

Jarvis said her family has received death threats and vandals hit their home, which has been unoccupied since the incident.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International

This news arrived on: 11/06/2009

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