CBS 2 Investigates

by Scott Weinberger
MASSAPEQUA (CBS) ― Jake Brower was once a normal 5-year-old.

"My little boy woke up every morning telling me Daddy you're my best friend in the whole wide world," said John Brower.

Then a parent's worst nightmare as the cute little boy faced death after multiple strokes from a brain infection. He became paralyzed, blind and unable to breathe on his own.

"It was horrible. It was the worst night of our lives. To have to explain to our daughter that God may take our son, her brother," Lisa Brower said.

John and Lisa instantly chose to fight for their child, ignoring the doctor's suggestion to let him die. Living on the salary of a NYC police officer, they pay thousands of dollars each month for treatments that insurance won't cover.

Jake has made dramatic progress in the two and a half years since he nearly died. He's no longer paralyzed, can eat solid food and responds to his family. His progress has been made possible by his family's relentless pursuit of treatment and an outpouring of financial help.

"Across Long Island, across the town, people are awesome," John Brower said.

At first, the Browers were overjoyed when Bob Eslick, who runs the Long Island based charity "Kids Helping Kids," offered a fundraiser for Jake. But they said Eslick, a man they once called Uncle Bob, hasn't given the family a penny from the numerous fundraisers organized by his charity.

"These fundraisers were a year and a half ago. We're still waiting to get the funds and people entrusted their money to this man," John Brower said.

Eslick organized local school children that raised close to $1,000 for Jake by purchasing and decorating handprints. The Woodbury Deli also raised money for Jake. An August 2005 talent show at Farmingdale University raised more than $5,000. And there was also a well-attended fundraiser at a pub in Port Jefferson, plus others.

But Eslick avoided our camera when we tried to ask him to explain why the money raised in the name of Jake Brower has yet to be turned over.

Eslick is also allegedly holding cash raised for Jake independent of his charity. Last year, Eslick picked up $2,500 raised at businesses in a Farmingdale mall, but he hasn't given it to the Browers. Long Island radio station WBAB raised over $50,000 from listeners, which they handed over to Eslick. He did give the Browers the checks, but failed to turn over nearly $5,000 in cash.

"Initially he said the only way that he dispenses funds is at a dinner that he holds, some gala dinner," John Brower said.

Eslick said by phone he was not interested in doing the dinner anymore and that he would decide the appropriate time to release the money. He wouldn't say how much he'd be giving the Browers, only that his costs had to be taken into account.

"If he doesn't want us to have it then he should give it back to the people who donated it," Lisa Brower said.

After CBS 2 questioned Eslick by phone about his fundraising, he met with his lawyer and said Jake will get a check by this Friday. We asked if he'd show us the charity's books to see if all the money raised for Jake was turned over. Our request was denied. Meanwhile, the Browers have filed complaints with the Nassau County District Attorney and the State Attorney General, who regulates charities. We'll keep you posted.

If you want to help the family, make checks to:

Jake Brower Fund
P.O. Box 179
Massapequa, N.Y. 11758

If you have a story you'd like Scott to investigate, e-mail cbs2investigations@cbs.com.

(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)