Help Jayci Yaeger, Now, Please

Update: 3/28/2008 — Jayci has died. You can read more here; and I have something else to say about it here.

Update: 3/27/3008 — the Warden has allowed Mr. Yaeger out for a pathetic half-hour visit with Jayci. No one else was allowed in the room (no other family members, anyway). They only allowed this because of the public pressure. Please keep it up.

Update: 3/25/2008 — the Yaegers acknowledge and thank the public for all the support, which has been overwhelming, they say. They’re asking for a little personal and family time — cards and further efforts on their behalf are always welcome, but please no visits or phone calls.

EDIT: Update — the Yaegers have now asked for clemency for Mr. Yaeger from Bush, according to this story, since they weren’t getting anywhere with the warden, who refuses to even be interviewed to back up his position. (Yes, I’m getting angrier.)

Please email the President and the First Lady at comments@whitehouse.gov, and VP Cheney at vice_president@whitehouse.gov; ask the Vice President and whoever answers the Comments box to please convey the urgency of this request and your support of it to the President.

Please remember: this isn’t about Mr. Yaeger. It’s about Jayci. Time is running out — Jayci’s too weak to even talk to her dad on the phone.

Sorry for the “now” but Jayci doesn’t have much time.

Jayci Yaeger is a dying 10 year old girl in Nebraska. Her dad is in jail for a nonviolent drug charge in Yankton’s federal penitentiary. He’s due for release less than a year from now. Warden Whitehead at Yankton does have the power to release Mr. Yaeger on compassionate grounds. But so far the party line from the federal BoP bureaucracy has been “these aren’t extraordinary grounds.”

Yes, you read that correctly. A dying 10-year-old child is not extraordinary grounds warranting a compassionate release.

Now, bear in mind — the Yaegers aren’t even asking for Dad to be released for good. They’re just asking that he be allowed to be with his daughter in her last days.

We’ll take a moment and let all that sink in….

Are you riled yet? OK, calm down. You need to be polite for this part.

This post at That Lawyer Dude sets out the plan of action with your to-do list for the morning. At a minimum, go sign this petition.

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  • K

    Jayci’s dad should 100% be released to see his daughter… how could anyone deprive a dying CHILD the right to see their dad?!?! The situation is already a HORRIBLE and UNFORTUNATE one… the least a humane person could do is allow this poor girl the right to see her father, and vice-versa… period… end of discussion!!!

  • http://theinspiredsolo.com Sheryl

    K, I agree – thank you for commenting. Please – PLEASE go see Tony’s post for things you can do today to help Jayci. Tony’s done a good job outlining the steps any citizen can take to make their opinions known on this.

    Just please be respectful and polite when you’re speaking with public officials and employees. Most of the folks you’ll speak to will have NOTHING to do with the decision that was made, so don’t blame them. But do let them know you’re outraged, stunned, and angry. Just do it nicely. :)

  • Tammy J

    Mr. Yaeger is in prison and paying for is wrong doings. Not allowing him to be with his daughter during her last moments of life is going above and beyond him paying for his non-violent drug charges. I do not think they are asking for too much. She simply wants her father there during her last days on this earth. This is not about him getting out early or getting some sort of vacation. His daughter is dying and in a lot of pain and agony. She is terrified and she wants her daddy there. This is a sad story just because a little girl is having to go through such a horrible ordeal. If allowing her dad to be there as she leaves this world can bring this little girl and her family some kind of peace, why not?

  • http://theinspiredsolo.com Sheryl

    Thank you, Tammy. Another important point to keep in mind: this was a non-violent drug charge. Mr. Yaeger, in other words, is in jail because he’s an addict.

    Honestly – this is such a no-brainer. Even if you think drug users SHOULD be punished, why punish a dying child? She didn’t commit any crime.

    I’m heartened by the response here, although I must say the response in other venues from my fellow attorneys has left me quite sad and more than a bit disillusioned. I thought we were better than that.

  • http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Have-Mercy-on-Jayci Mike

    Please help Jayci by signing this petition online.

    http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Have-Mercy-on-Jayci

    Thank you for your consideration.

  • http://theinspiredsolo.com Sheryl

    Thanks Mike — I think that’s the petition I linked to in the post, as well. Thanks for spreading the word.

  • Steve Raine

    I am a big believer that a person should serve his time for crimes but this is ridiculous. They need to let him be with this little girl. His crime was a drug charge, non violent and a little common sense would be great. She needs her daddy right now and I will pray hard that she receives her wish. I emailed the President and VP. He needs to see her as well. I have two girls myself and I could not imagine them being denied me being by their side in desperate need. My family and I are deeply saddened by this.

  • Bob Canning

    Jayci’s father didn’t kill anyone. He didn’t rape anyone. He didn’t even rob anyone. He’s in a minimum security prison. Why can’t he be at his child’s deathbed? It’s so cruel and heartless of that warden.

    Can’t the Make the Wish Foundation help? After all, it’s Jayci’s dying wish.

  • Jayne and Gary

    Oh, God! Writing to BUSH is an act of sheer desperation and probably futile. He wouldn’t commute death sentences when he was Governor of Texas. If they’re in jail, there’s a reason period was his belief. He’s totally implacable. I think writing to the Governor and Senators would get more action.

  • Carlos Solares

    I am writing from Guatemala. I was reading the news when I learned about this case and I have been VERY SAD about the little girl since. I read the news at least 3 times a day hoping to read her father has been granted the little angels wish. UPDATE: 3AM EST I just read in KETV.com Father Released From Prison To Visit Dying Daughter… OMAHA, Neb. — An imprisoned father was allowed to visit his dying daughter on Wednesday KETV NewsWatch 7 has learned. I hope this is more than a 2 hour visit like his other visits have been. I think what this case needs is a LOT OF MEDIA COVERAGE. That would get more results than writing petitions that probably will be ignored or never read. My heart goes to the Yaeger family. Jayci Yaeger, I hope your wish is granted. You soon will be in HEAVEN !!! God bless you !

  • http://theinspiredsolo.com Sheryl

    Hi Carlos – thanks for visiting here – always nice to have international guests, even if they’re under these sad circumstances. I just posted an update. Sadly, the recent visit was restricted to 30 lousy minutes. But this visit was only allowed because of the pressure the public has brought to bear. So, keep it up (nicely, of course — always nicely).

  • http://www.publicrecordsguy.com/tag/yaeger Jeremy

    Sheryl, thanks for the Jayci Yaeger coverage. I too have been blogging about it. I’m trying to make sure Jason can get a furlough or compassionate release. I’ve been in touch with Lori and Ed Yaeger to get the “facts” since the media tends to slant things.

    Please have your readers continue their efforts. Faxes are GREAT, because someone hears it, someone goes over and visual looks at it to route it, and then someone else gets it. I think it’s a great tangible thing, also leaves a great paper trail for my upcoming FOIA requests. KEEP THE PRESSURE ON FOR JAYCI YAEGER’S COMFORT. Thanks.

  • Felix

    I’m writing from Italy. I was very touched by this very sad story and I immediately decided to write here. I just want to send a big hug to Jayci and hope that his fahter will get the chance to stay with her.
    God bless you little Jayci.

  • http://www.bridgeofdreams.org Jennifer

    My goodness what a shame, 30 minutes ? Is that all they could allow ? NO, they darn well could have allowed more !! That is just not right…how would the warden feel if it were HIS child ? If HE were the one being told he could not go and comfort his dying child ? Do you think he’d stand for it ?? NO I dont think so for not even one minute. What a sad, sad situtation, my prayers are with Jayci and her entire family—I hope they find even a little comfort knowing how many people are thinking of them, praying for them.

  • http://theinspiredsolo.com Sheryl

    Felix – buon giorno! Thank you for stopping by. It’s wonderful to have international visitors to Inspired Solo.

    Jennifer – yes, thirty minutes is all. And I, like you, cannot fathom how this man sleeps at night. I tried very hard to maintain some open-mindedness for the warden earlier in this story but … right now, it just escapes me what his possible justification for this heartless conduct is.

    Jeremy — thank you so much for stopping by. Please convey my support to Jayci’s family. I’ve asked several blogging friends to help by posting about it as well, and done everything on Tony’s list myself. I’ll try to write some more about this here this weekend, instead of continually updating this post. I just hope something can be done before it’s too late.

  • Felix

    I’m now reading on internet that little Jayci passed away today. It’s really a sad news.
    Please send my condolences to her family. I’m sure now you are in heaven little Jayci, God bless you.

  • Grandma Sherry

    Sheryl. I am Jayci’s grandmother. I just want to thank you and all the people who have responded to your blog. The support we have received has been tremendous, never in a millon years did we expect the response we got from the public. Jayci was a fighter and she wanted her daddy even if it was for a losey 20 min. (not 30.) again thanks to you and your readers it did happen. Jayci passed very peacefully and now watches over all of us. Jason was allowed to attend the funeral and the guards were very kind and allowed him to interact with family and friends. Thanks