15-year-old burned by teens undergoes first surgery

MIAMI (WSVN) -- The 15-year-old who suffered near fatal burns over most of his body when a group of teens set him on fire has undergone his first of many surgeries.

Michael Brewer continues to fight for his life at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Doctors call this phase of his recovery the most critical, as his burns are being treated with cadaver skin donated by organ donors.

He was admitted to the hospital on Oct. 12, after receiving burns over 65 percent of his body when a fellow classmate from Deerfield Beach Middle School doused him with rubbing alcohol, while another teen lit the fluid up with a lighter. Three other youths stood by to egg them on.

All five of these teens, between 13 and 16 years of age, remain in juvenile detention while possible adult charges linger over their heads. Police said the attack on Brewer was motivated over a bike and video game.

Now, doctors said, Brewer remains heavily sedated against the pain and cannot hold a conversation due to the sedation, though doctors have described him as responsive. Brewer is also hooked up to many machines to help keep him alive.

On Thursday, the bandages for this initial skin graft are set to come off. "Depending on what it looks like, we'll have to make a decision on the next operation," said Dr. Nicholas Namias, "but if it went as we hoped, we're going to be in a sort of holding pattern right now with critical care, waiting for some healing, and to make a decision on the next operation."

Namias said he likes to keep things in true perspective, as he watches over Brewer's recovery. "I am not an optimistic person. I'm a hopeful and a positive person, but I'm a neutral person," he said. "I will tell you he is doing what a burn is supposed to do at this stage of the game, and I'm pleased with the way it's going... maybe I'm superstitious."

Doctors had feared Brewer might suffer severe infections and organ failure as a result of the loss of his skin, but, so far, they said Brewer's kidneys are functioning, his heart is good and his blood pressure is good. Still, they do expect to see an infection occur, which they said, is the standard case in such severe burns. They expect the recovery process to last months longer to even a year.

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