© 2024 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace
Buffalo, NY 14202

Mailing Address:
Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263
Buffalo, NY 14240-1263

Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000
WBFO Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040
Your NPR Station
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Death of Eain Brooks spurs child abuse prevention effort

Mike Desmond/wbfo news

Three generations of women stood in Niagara Square Thursday to mourn Eain Brooks, the boy who was sexually abused and murdered by his mother's boyfriend two years ago.

The women told a media gathering that they wanted to make sure government on all levels shifts from taking care of children who are victims to preventing abuse.

Agencies say they can do a lot to help parents in bad situations and teach adults to listen to children about abuse and how to spot it, which mother Nora Brooks says she didn't.

Brooks was emotional as she admitted not knowing what was going on with her son.

"I was abused. I know what it's like. I wanted to see those signs and I felt stupid that I didn't see those signs, at all, that I couldn't tell my son, let's go, we're leaving. I felt like my son could tell me anything in the world, as my best friend. I didn't get that sign. I didn't get that feeling, that instinct that a mom's supposed to have," said Brooks.

Great grandmother Carolyn Spring says she will spend the rest of her life trying to prevent similar cases.

"Eain will not have died in vain if I can save just one child," Spring said.

"Since then, it has been my goal to help change, change the way others view abuse, change the lives and change whatever needs to be changed to save lives."

An investigation after Brooks' death led to firings, suspensions and management shifts inside CPS and major additions to staffing to deal with abuse. There have also been legal changes to make prosecutions easier. State Senator Tim Kennedy says government has made changes but has to push prevention.
 

Mike Desmond is one of Western New York’s most experienced reporters, having spent nearly a half-century covering the region for newspapers, television stations and public radio. He has been with WBFO and its predecessor, WNED-AM, since 1988. As a reporter for WBFO, he has covered literally thousands of stories involving education, science, business, the environment and many other issues. Mike has been a long-time theater reviewer for a variety of publications and was formerly a part-time reporter for The New York Times.