Warren

Husband of woman found in filth charged

By Brian Louwers
C & G Staff Writer

The husband of a bedridden Warren woman who died late last month after rescue crews found her lying in filth was arraigned on a felony abuse charge Nov. 1.

According to a statement by Macomb County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Smith, 37-year-old Michael Dewayne Brooks was charged with one count of abuse of a vulnerable adult-second degree, a four-year felony.

Brooks surrendered to Warren police after the charge was authorized by prosecutors who reviewed the results of a Warren police investigation that began Oct. 16 when firefighters responded to a 911 call at the family’s home in the 29000 block of Gloede, near 12 Mile and Hayes.

First responders allegedly found Brooks’ wife, Yolanda Reese-Brooks, 40, lying in her own excrement and wore protective clothing as they removed her from the apartment that was reportedly strewn with waste and infested with insects.

Reese-Brooks was taken to a local hospital and kept in the Intensive Care Unit until she died Oct. 22. She reportedly went into septic shock.

An Oakland County medical examiner later ruled her death was an accident, brought about by injuries suffered in a car accident in 2011 that left her immobile and from resulting complications. Officials said her injuries included a crushed pelvis and a ruptured bladder.

Reese-Brooks reportedly weighed 360 pounds when she died, and morbid obesity was listed as a contributing cause of her death.
 
According to Smith’s release, Michael Brooks was his wife’s primary caregiver after the accident.

“Michael Brooks’s shameful neglect of his wife rises to the level of criminal abuse,” Smith said in the statement.  “It’s unthinkable to allow a loved one to suffer in this disgraceful manner.”

The couple’s four children – a 13-year-old, an 11-year-old, and 2-year-old twins – were apparently healthy and unharmed, Warren Police Commissioner Jere Green said.

Officials said the children were placed in the care of a family member pending a review by Macomb County Child Protective Services.

Brooks was released on a $10,000 personal bond set by the judge at his arraignment.

The case was assigned to 37th District Court Judge John Chmura.

Brooks waived his right to a preliminary examination within 14 days and the hearing was tentatively scheduled for Nov. 15.

Attorney David Draper will represent Brooks, according to court records. Draper could not immediately be reached for comment.
 

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Brian Louwers at brianlouwers@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1089.