Would you please help me get the word out about this before it’s too late? I really really feel strongly about this situation since I too am a Dad and love my children.
Jayci Yaeger is a 10 year old little girl dying from brain cancer. Her WISH: Have dad bedside as she leaves this life. PROBLEM: Jason Yaeger is a federal inmate housed at Yankton Federal Prison Camp. The Warden can approve a furlough for Jason to be with his daughter as she succumbs, but has refused according to news reports. Jason Yaeger was convicted of methamphetamine charges nearly five years ago and is scheduled to be released next year. Yes, NEXT YEAR. He’s scheduled to move to a half-way house in August 2008, but Jayci’s doctors fear it will be too late.
From Action 3 News:
Cancerous brain tumors have taken over and Jayci Yaeger moved into a Lincoln hospice this week. Her mother can only watch as her daughter slowly disappears. A girl, who just six months ago was vibrant and energetic. Vonda says, “It’s really hard to say it, but it’s time now and she doesn’t need to suffer anymore. She needs to be where she can be peaceful and happy and not in pain.”
Jayci isn’t ready to go just yet. She’s got one more thing to do before she dies, hug her daddy. “She’s very scared, and I think she’s holding on for her father,” says Vonda.
Jason has even gone as far as to file a Habeas Petition to ask for help. As an exhibit to his petition he attaches a letter written by Children’s Hospital identifying the seriousness and terminal nature of Jayci’s cancer. Here is the Petition | Doctor’s Letter | Administrative Denial
Various outlets reporting on this travesty: Action 3 | Dave Lucas | KETV7 Omaha | KOLN KGIN | Daily KOS
Will you help me and contact your U.S. Senators, Congress Representatives, Reporters, US Attorneys and anybody else that will listen and possibly show some MERCY and COMPASSION? Jayci didn’t pick her parents, she didn’t pick having a drug-dealing dad, nor did she pick having cancer, but she would like to pick having her dad bedside. Is that too much to ask?
FPC YANKTON
FEDERAL PRISON CAMP
1016 DOUGLAS AVENUE
YANKTON, SD 57078
Phone: 605-665-3262
Fax: 605-668-1113
E-mail address: YAN/EXECASSISTANT@BOP.GOV
Warden: J.D. Whitehead
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March 20th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Please, please make the calls to Senators, email the Warden, help make this girls final moments bearable. Thanks.
March 20th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Maybe some common sense is needed with that warden? God Bless them.
Please
March 20th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
My heart just breaks for this little girl. Please be the bigger person here and let her see her daddy for the last time. If you can’t give him the 30 days ( which she may not even have that long) he is asking give him a few days to say good bye. I don’t care who you are losing a child has got to be the hardest thing to do. Some of us don’t get the chance to say good bye.
March 20th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
I emailed the warden. This is a terrible circumstance and my heart goes out to them.
March 21st, 2008 at 12:56 am
His daughter is dying. He has less than 4 months to go in a minimum security facility and he isn’t even given a 48 hour furlough. This is the BOP at its worst, but it is exactly indicative of who they are and how they operate. Some have stated that the BOP’s hands are tied by the laws that congress has passed. However, as I understand, a furlough can be granted at the warden’s discretion. That he would choose to deny the furlough in this case is shocking, but sadly to be expected. I hope that this story is picked up my the majors; CNN, FOX, MSNB etc. The public needs to be aware what goes on at federal prison. It is after all their tax dollars that fund it.
Jonathan R.
http://www.federal-prison.org
March 21st, 2008 at 7:04 am
I just called the prison and they asked if I was from the media and I said no and they transferred me to some employee assistance line. Seems like they are heartless and think they have no one to answer to. They really should be answering to the public. He also asked where I am from so I told him I am from Massachusetts. I am not sure what to do. The site for the state rep has a page that is not working to email him. I think this must be on purpose. This is an outrage. NO one seems to want to be held accoutable for this whiel they want him to be held accountable, which he is perfectly willign to do. For shame. OUr legal system has some major problems. I am not sure why this is so hard for them to understand. I bet they will have a large sum of money they will need to pay once Jason gets done suing them.
March 21st, 2008 at 7:36 am
Jonathan you are right. The Warden does have the authority to grant the furlough. For whatever reason is choosing not to. I guess people as a whole lack MERCY and COMPASSION. What if doctor’s only did the bare minimum for the Warden, say his child (if he has one) was dying and there was a possible treatment, but it was at the Doctor’s discretion to use it, didn’t have to, already did the bare minimum, would his outlook be different? You know it would!!!
March 21st, 2008 at 8:38 am
*The prison camp sent out a news release Thursday afternoon detailing why Jason will not be released to see his daughter:
Officials at the Federal Prison Camp are sensitive to the request from inmate Yaeger and his family to allow him to visit his daughter. In response to inmate Yeager’s request, he has been escorted by prison staff on three separate occasions to allow him to be with his daughter during this difficult time. Two of these trips have occurred within the past month. We have also assisted inmate Yaeger in maintaining telephonic contact with his family and daughter.
The Bureau of Prisons routinely utilizes furloughs and escorted trips in response to family emergencies, whichever is deemed most appropriate based on a review of security and safety concerns for both the inmate involved and the community.
Bureau of Prisons officials have reviewed inmate Yaeger’s request for a compassionate release and have determined his situation does not meet the criteria set forth by the Bureau of Prisons Program … Inmate Yaeger’s request for extended placement in a Residential Re-entry Center is currently in litigation; therefore, we are unable to comment further on this request.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons does not have the authority to release or suspend a court imposed sentence. Our agency’s mission is to protect society by confining offenders in controlled environments of prisons and community-based facilities, which are safe, humane and appropriately secure.
March 21st, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Please on this Easter weekend think about the mercy Christ showed. For the sake of this little girl, let her daddy go to her. Let them be together for the last few days of her life. This is not too much to ask!! This little girl needs her daddy. He can finish serving his time after she passes.
March 22nd, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I just found and signed this petition to help Jayci here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Have-Mercy-on-Jayci
Please, help her!!
March 22nd, 2008 at 7:55 pm
For God sake, why is such a heartless human making a decision like this? Please tell me what is so criminal that would make a Warden decide this horror for this child and this family? What is so abhorrent to be at the bedside of one’s dying child? What does it serve? This will only cause more hate in the world. Lets have a little love here Warden. All we need is love.
March 22nd, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Here’s another way to help this child:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Have-Mercy-on-Jayci
March 22nd, 2008 at 8:07 pm
this is horrible. its a 10 year olds dying wish, its not even like her dad murdered or anything. hes in for drugs.
those heartless bastards at that prison, how can they sit there knowing a 10 y/o is dying and cant see her daddy anymore.
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Please don’t stop here, after posting your comments, please copy the address to this post and email it to your congressional representative, U.S. Senators, etc. We need to continue our fight. I just learned the Warden is actually a Board Member of the United Way and think we should be contacting them too. How can he do this to Jayci and be a member of the United Way? Jason will do his time, let Jayci choose comfort as she dies.
March 23rd, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Well it figures, I guess he just joined United Way so he could get to the highest rung on the ladder, boost his reputation, make his record look good. That’s laughable and hipocritical……………..shame on you Warden. He obviously has no compassion for anyone but himself. If he was in this situation, you can bet some strings would be pulled. They let inmates visit dying relatives and go to funerals who have committed worse crimes. So what is it Warden? Why aren’t you telling the people what they want to know. WHAT IS THE CIRCUMSTANCE THAT THIS CASE DOESN’T MEET??????? WHAT’S THE BIG SECRET????? Is this some personal vendetta?
March 24th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
I too saw this story today and have not stopped thinking about Jayci all day long. I have e-mailed the warden and pray that he reconsiders. I just don’t understand “why” they wont let him go be by her side. He was there when she drifted into this world, he has every right to be there when she drifts out. Its just breaking my heart. If they do not let him go home and then she passes and they offer for him to attend her funeral I’d make damn sure some heads went rolling. Let that father, Jason go home to his child!!!
March 25th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I am shocked and saddened by the lack of compassion and sense of urgency on part of our government, our representatives, and even the President.
What right do we have to tell China to release political activist, when we can not get a father free to visit his dying daughter?
It is a shame and sad day to see a child is dying and we are sitting helpless on the sidelines.
March 26th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
This would never happen in my country. USA is a true heartless and compassionless society. I’m not surprised the world hates Americans.
USA sucks.
March 27th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Jayci’s dying wish was granted yesterday. Jason had an approximately 30 minute visit with Jayci. I pray we can continue to support the Yaegers and try to get Jason an extended furlough to be bedside as she passes. Keep up the good work. Thanks.
March 29th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
My prayers to all. My heart is broken.
God Bless you all.
I learned of Jayci’s passing yesterday (3/28) on radio station kfi 640 Los Angeles. In reference to the visit of Jayci’s father the host made an appauling statement that was cold callous and uncaring…’.after the visit (fathers) Jayci “did her duty and died”‘. I will boycott this host. Just thought you should be know about this statement.
March 29th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
God bless you Jeremy.
Good job!
March 30th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
People that are housed in a Federal Prison CAMP… where there are no fences, and you cross public streets to go eat and go to the gym… should not be considered too dangerous! If they are such a risk, maybe they shouldn’t be kept in a very miniumm security facility with no fences, that you can walk away from anytime you choose, located in the middle of a residential neighborhood in Yankton! Oh well… our Federal Tax dollars at work!
April 4th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Rest in Peace, little baby Jayci.
You guys– I really feel like we did it. Thank you to EVERYONE HERE. I have a renewed faith.
April 5th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Well, ya know, on one hand that’s what prison is for. On the other hand, drug offenses are sort of questionable in the first place. It’s not like it’s theft, or spamming, or murder.
Of course, I’d need to hear the whole story to be sure it’s the right thing to do. But I say ‘let him go see his kid’ (based on the info here.)
April 6th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Just read this, and wanted to thank the author and everyone who helped this little girl and her family get her last wish. Good work everyone, and it is the small actions people do that make all the differences. Thanks from Bermuda
April 8th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
I am Jayci’s Grandma, I just want to thank Jeremy and all of you for the support that you have all shown us through this whole ordeal. Jayci sort of got her wish if you can consider 20 min. with her dad granted. She did however find comfort in it as she passed only 1 1/2 days later and very peacefully. She will soon be forgotten by the public but our family will forever remember all the people in the nation who helped her get to be with her dad. God Bless all. Jayci’s work on this earth is complete.
April 9th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Grandma Sherry, it was my honor and privilege to use this blog as a medium to help get her message out. I’m thankful that her Dying Wish was granted albeit short, it was granted, and that Jason was able to properly bury his daughter. Jayci will not be forgotten!!!