Ten-year-old Jayci Yaeger Losing Battle with Brain Cancer while Awaiting Father’s Release from Prison

March 27, 2008

Earlier this week, I brought you the story of Jason Yaeger, an inmate at the Federal Prison Camp in Yankton, South Dakota, who has been seeking an early release to a halfway house so that he can be with his daughter, Jayci Yaeger, a 10-year-old girl who is dying of brain cancer at a hospital located less than four hours from the prison.  Yesterday, Jayci's Uncle, Ed Yaeger, told Action3news.com that Jayci's health is continuing to decline. 

"She's having respiratory problems and continues to have them," Ed Yaeger said.  "Last night, they think she had a stroke.  One side is colder than the other, and her blood pressure has been low.  Her body is trying to shut down."

Despite the fact that Jason has served the bulk of a 5½-year sentence for a methamphetamine conviction, Warden J. D. Whitehead refuses to grant Jason's request for an early release.  According to a statement the prison released last week, the case does not meet the criteria of the prison's extraordinary circumstances policy.

In addition to the warden's denial, President George W. Bush has yet to respond to Jason's recent request for clemency.  The case is currently in the office of Judge Karen Schreier in Rapid City, South Dakota.  According to Jason's family members, Whitehead has until April 7 to issue a response.

To read the complete article, click here.

What You Can Do

Sign the Petition: Help Jayci be with her Dad as she dies, sponsored by Gifted Hands Mended Hearts, Nurses for Compassion.

You can find numbers for Whitehead and other government officials listed at the petition Web site.  In addition, you can contact the White House with your concerns.

To help the Yaeger family with medical expenses, send donations to: Jayci Yaeger Fund, c/o Wells Fargo, 1248 "O" Street, Lincoln, NE 68508.

Comments

[PublicRecordsGuy]

Jayci's dying wish was granted yesterday. Jason had an approximately 30 minute visit with Jayci at her bedside. Thank you everyone for your support, prayers, and calls. Please continue to petition for Jason's extended furlough or immediate transfer to the half-way house, so that he may be beside her for a longer period of time and to provide physical comfort. Please don't forget this could be your 10 year old daughter. You can track my coverage at http://www.publicrecordsguy.com/tag/yaeger (hope you don't mind me including my link, if so, please delete it or add rel="nofollow", I just want to get the word out. Thanks)