FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Three teenagers accused of setting another boy on fire appeared in court Thursday morning.

Denver Jarvis and Matthew Bent, both 15, and 16-year-old Jesus Mendez all are charged as adults with second-degree attempted murder.

The three suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges in court Thursday.

The teens are accused of dousing 15-year-old Michael Brewer with rubbing alcohol and setting him on fire on Oct. 12 at a Deerfield Beach apartment complex.

Brewer suffered burns over 65 percent of his body, and doctors said he could remain hospitalized for months.

At the courthouse, Jarvis' mother, Sherry Jarvis, did not want to talk about her son, who is accused of pouring the alcohol on Brewer.

Mendez is accused of lighting the fire. Prosecutors called Bent the ringleader, saying he was upset because Brewer alerted authorities that Bent allegedly tried to steal his father's bike the night before.

Two other boys, both 13, initially were charged in the attack, but prosecutors have since dropped the cases against them.

Despite their young ages, the boys will face a harsh punishment of 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

Attorney Valerie Williams spoke on behalf of Jarvis' family.

"The family is devastated. They're going to get their story out there at some point. They're just trying to deal with it. He goes from being a 15-year-old student to being charged," Williams said.