Husband arraigned on abuse charges in death of 400 pound wife

WARREN, Mich. (WXYZ) - A husband who is facing abuse charges in connection with the death of his 400 pound wife was arraigned today in 37th District Court.

Michael Dewayne Brooks, 37, is charged with Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult. Brooks is accused of neglecting his wife by leaving her to lay in her own waste for at least eight or nine days - injured and immobile.

He was released on personal bond.

His wife, 40-year-old Yolanda Reese-Brooks, had to be rescued from their apartment by Warren Fire and EMS, but went into septic shock and died in the hospital several days later. Yolanda was involved in an auto accident back in February 2011 and suffered a crushed pelvis and ruptured bladder.

According to the prosecutor's office, Michael Brooks was Yolanda's primary caretaker. The couple also had four children in the home, 2-year-old twins, an 11-year-old and a 13-year-old. Police reports indicate that the home was uninhabitable and there were no beds or mattresses for the children.

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

The children are staying with the victim's sister at this time.