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Family appeals to allow dying girl to see father

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BY KENDRA WALTKE / Lincoln Journal Star

Friday, Mar 21, 2008 - 07:38:22 pm CDT



Jayci Yaeger no longer can speak, but tears roll down her face when she hears her father’s voice on the telephone.

Back when the 10-year-old was well enough, she expressed one dying wish: To be with her dad.

Story Photo
This photo was taken when prison officials last allowed Jason Yaeger to visit his daughter, Jayci, three weeks ago. (Courtesy photo)

The Lincoln girl’s seven-year  struggle with cancer appears to be drawing to a close.

But her father, Jason Yaeger, can’t be at her side because he’s incarcerated on a methamphetamine conviction at a federal prison camp in Yankton, S.D., three hours away.

“I believe she’s just hanging on for her daddy,” her uncle, Ed Yaeger, said late Friday afternoon.

Twice, doctors have told the family to pay their last respects.

“Yesterday and last evening, she gave us quite a scare,”  said Ed Yaeger, Jason Yaeger’s brother.

Jayci is in hospice care in Lincoln. She last saw her father three weeks ago during a two-hour visit supervised by a prison guard.

Her father has repeatedly appealed to the Bureau of Prisons for a furlough, or escorted release, which federal prisons can allow in cases with “extraordinary justification.”

“But they say this is not extraordinary,” said Jayci’s aunt, Heidi Genthe of Pleasant Dale.

No timetable was requested for the furlough, Ed Yaeger said.

“He’s left the time open so he can be here when she passes and for the funeral.”

Jason Yaeger has visited his daughter three times since her condition was declared terminal last fall, once in October and twice in the past month. Each visit cost the family $200 to $300 for the guard and expenses.

He has nearly a year left on a  5½-year sentence and is set for an August release to a Council Bluffs, Iowa, halfway house, where he would be allowed to  visit Jayci in Lincoln.

Now he fears he will not see his daughter alive again.

“It’s eating him up,” his brother said. “Every second counts.”

The story, first reported on local television stations, has drawn outrage at home and nationwide from those who say a child is being punished for her father’s crime.

Jayci’s mother, Vonda Yaeger, was on the “CBS Early Show” Thursday. Ed Yaeger spoke to CNN live on Friday. Jason Yaeger was interviewed by ABC.

Phone calls and letters poured into the offices of South Dakota and Nebraska politicians.

Ed Yaeger hopes the national attention will force the Bureau of Prisons to overturn its decision,

“Anything anyone can do to put pressure on them will help us,” he said.

Gov. Dave Heineman has expressed his empathy to the Yaeger family, said spokeswoman Jen Rae Hein, but the matter is federal. Nebraska’s congressional delegation also received many calls.

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry’s office requested a clarification of the term “extraordinary” from the Bureau of Prisons, said Fortenberry spokesman Josh Moenning.

The matter rests in the hands of the federal agency, Moenning said.

In a response to Fortenberry’s request for clarification, sent in reference to Yaeger’s plea for early release to the halfway house in Council Bluffs, Michael K. Nalley, the regional director for the bureau, wrote: “While there are no set determining factors, ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are determined on an individual, case-by-case basis. ... His case is not unlike that of many other offenders, whose incarceration takes them away from loved ones who must endure both financial and health-related hardships.”

Ed Yaeger said all decisions appear to be left to federal prison officials, who upheld the Yankton warden’s recommendation.

“It appears the Bureau of Prisons does not answer to anyone but the president,” Ed Yaeger said.

“I think the thing to stress is that Jason is in a minimum-security prison. There are no bars, no walls. He has to cross a busy public street to get between the buildings.”

When he transferred from a prison to the Yankton site, Jason Yaeger was given a furlough and “put on a Greyhound bus.”

In a statement to the press, the Yankton prison said: “Bureau of Prisons officials have reviewed inmate Yaeger’s request for a compassionate release and have determined his situation does not meet the criteria.”

A spokesperson for the prison indicated no more information would be publicly released until next week.

Jayci’s parents were living near Princeton when she was diagnosed with brain tumors at age 3. They have since divorced.

The south Lancaster County area has been very supportive of the girl, even naming a Princeton street “Jayci Lane.”

Shelby Yaeger, Jayci’s younger sister, is not taking the illness well, their uncle said. The girls live with their mother in Lincoln’s Air Park.

 “Jason has just about paid his debt to society,” Ed Yaeger said. “It’s not really about Jason, it’s about a little girl who just wants to see her dad.”

Reach Kendra Waltke at 473-7303 or kwaltke@journalstar.com.


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Joe wrote on March 21, 2008 5:24 pm:
" What a bunch of garbage! What in Genthes' mind constitutes unusual circumstances? This is definetly an unusual circumstance! Whoever is blocking him returning to be with his daughter before she passes should be fired, don't you have any compassion or heart? "

 too bad. wrote on March 21, 2008 5:42 pm:
" I feel sorry for the family of this little girl. No parent should ever have to bury a child. however, this guy broke the law. he's in prison. you have to suffer with the consequences of your actions. Sadly, it means this. but why weren't you thinking of your child/family when you were breaking the law? You were being selfish, and now you have to pay for that. "

 His Fault wrote on March 21, 2008 5:56 pm:
" If he hadn't committed that crime, he'd be right there by her. It's his own fault entirely. "

 me wrote on March 21, 2008 6:00 pm:
" sorry, he should have thought about that before he did his crime. i find fault with letting him out twice in the past month too. who is paying for these trips? how much is it costing us? once would have been enough. "

 Lincoln wrote on March 21, 2008 6:35 pm:
" I don't care what this guy did - put yourself in their shoes. If her last wish is to see her Daddy - someone needs to make it happen, and FAST! "

 Scott wrote on March 21, 2008 6:48 pm:
" Let the guy see his daughter...... FTF!!!! Sheesh....... it's not like he's asking for a free pass, just time to be with his kiddo at the end of her life...... nothing any parent wouldn't want to do....... I feel for the entire family... "

 Truly heartbreaking.... wrote on March 21, 2008 6:59 pm:
" Let him be with his dying child, good greif! If his being there will make her happy, why he can't he be with her? I hope the judicial system makes a positive choice for this man and his little girl. "

 Shelly L. wrote on March 21, 2008 7:21 pm:
" I would do anything if I knew it would get him there at his baby girls bedside, this is just aweful and I think this warden is cruel and heartless. He may not be breaking any laws but I think he's breaking human kindness, empathy and kindness laws. To the Yaeger family, you are in my thoughts. "

 DT wrote on March 21, 2008 7:47 pm:
" Let the girl be with her father---poor kid---her last wish should be filled! It is hard enough to lose a child than to have to go thru all this extra along with it. The family--all of them--need to be together during this time, divorced or not. "

 Realist wrote on March 21, 2008 7:54 pm:
" I hate to sound harsh becuase I really do pray for this little girl. I also have no compassion for her father. He not only used drugs, he manufactured them for others. How many childerens lives did he ruin peddling his filth on our streets. And as far as the person escorting him being a "guard" I'll just bet he was a Corrections Officer. "

 Rick M wrote on March 21, 2008 8:01 pm:
" Meth charge... now if it were a killer or molester, he'd already be a free man.

Let him out, its not like he's going to run anywhere.
This little child NEEDS her parents together with her for her final departure... is that going to hurt someone else...?
Heck, I'll go take his place for the duration of his stay with his daughter... would that suffice?
"

 S.Fenin wrote on March 21, 2008 8:35 pm:
" I can understand how you feel about the child being by the prison system not allowing him to spend her last hours at her side...Yes he is incarcerated for a federal drug charge-however it was not a violent crime was it? This little girl needs her daddy!End of story! "

 onlyhuman wrote on March 21, 2008 8:52 pm:
" Why can't they just honor her wish. It is not her fault about her daddy. "

 seriously? wrote on March 21, 2008 8:53 pm:
" So he did a crime of drugs...let him see his daughter! People that do worse crimes, like hurt children, get probation and are not sent to prison. This is really disturbing. Let him to be with his daughter. He can finish his last year of sentence when she is gone. "

 jill wrote on March 21, 2008 8:59 pm:
" this is so sad that someone doesn't want a dying child to see their father before they die. what cruel people. "

 Ted wrote on March 21, 2008 9:37 pm:
" "finacial and health-related hardships" may not qualify as extraordinary, but certainly a 10 year old daughter dying of cancer who wants to see her daddy before she dies is extraordinary! "

 KCollins wrote on March 21, 2008 9:54 pm:
" Wouldn't you think that we can cut the red tape crap before it's too late? "

 KCollins wrote on March 21, 2008 9:58 pm:
" Shouldn't he have thought of this before he committed the crime, Thats sounds pretty ignorant on your part, Do you know ANYTHING about drug addiction, and what it makes you do? We have a hateful pathetic society these days that think they are perfect and are ready to cast the first stone. Same thing could be said about you and you have to let you child die without you there, What makes you so heartless and gives you the ok to judge people??? "

 His fault NOT HER FAULT! wrote on March 21, 2008 10:03 pm:
" TO HIS FAULT! You are right it is his fault but it is NOT his innocent little girls fault. How uncaring can you be to this child. He is almost out and all he wants is to be at his daughters side when she leaves this world. I pray this little girl gets her dying wish...no one should die without their loved ones especially a sweet little girl who has suffered most her life. "

 jerry wrote on March 21, 2008 10:08 pm:
" the people who want to deny this visit, who justify piling suffering onto a girl with terminal brain cancer, have hearts and minds controlled by Satan, it's that simple, sick people exposing their dark souls "

 chomper wrote on March 21, 2008 10:44 pm:
" It all comes down to if they let one out then it leaves the door wide open for other prisoners to do the same. These prisoners are very sly. I will have to agree with realist did he care if any children took the meth he made? This drug is very bad. I have heard of many prisoners who never even got the chance to get out at least he has seen her in the last week. In the beginning the wife tried to make it sound like the prison had never let him out at all. My prayers to the daughter. A friend of mine had a sister who had to sit in prison while her mother, sister, and brother all were on there death beds. Hopefully he will turn his life around after this and not use it as an excuse to go back out and use again.
chomper "

 Agree with His Fault wrote on March 21, 2008 11:31 pm:
" I truely feel for this little girl and her family, but.....the dad made his bed now he has to sleep in it. I pray for Jayci but the old saying stands true, can't do the time, don't do the crime. Someone else made a good point. How many kids or family did he hurt or seperate when he was dealing these drugs. Moral of the story.... DRUGS ARE BAD!!!!!!!! STAY AWAY FROM THEM. "

 Come on! wrote on March 22, 2008 12:01 am:
" It was a drug charge for goodness sakes, and he was sentenced under mandatory sentencing, which is just bunk in the first place. No one is asking to let him out permanently and he's supposed to be out soon anyway. This is just horrible and I feel so sad for that poor little girl. Even though I am pursuing an education in the criminal justice field, I know the system is flawed and I don't agree that he should not be able to fulfill a DYING CHILD'S last wish just because he was stupid and got hooked on meth. I bet that many people that are making comments have done drugs, since the majority of drug users are white. Let him see his daughter! "

 Chantelle wrote on March 22, 2008 12:02 am:
" I hope these people who are preventing this man to be by his child during her last moments here on earth can live the rest of thier life knowing what they did. I have heard of alot of child abuse cases and this is one of the top. Why would a child have to pay for a parents crime? This little girl has done nothing wrong LET HER SEE HER DADDY! This is suppose to be a christian nation! It is not as if he killed someone he did drugs. Don't get me wrong he should pay his debt to society but Jayci shouldnt have too. Love one another! Do unto others as you would like others to do unto you! Do not pass judgement! This is heartbreaking to me and many others to think a little sweet angel will die without her last wish being filled...It isn't as though Yankton is that far away. Good grief 3-4 hours at the most! Of all the laws that we have to protect the innocent and the children and then someone goes and makes a cruel decision like this! Shame on you! "

 shannon wrote on March 22, 2008 12:21 am:
" you do the crime you MUST do the time!!!!! "

 4realnow wrote on March 22, 2008 12:40 am:
" the focus should be on the child. they would allow him to attend the funeral after she dies, but really what is the big deal of letting him see his DYING child one last time? It sayd in the article that the family is spending the $200-$300 to get him there to the hospital. Funny how when a man commits domestic assault in the presence of a child, he can be charged with as little as misdeamonor, serve no jail time and still get visitation with the child but yet its so difficult for a man to be in jail for drugs and unable to see his dying child (not to undermine the drug cahrges) "

 John Cassidy wrote on March 22, 2008 1:57 am:
" I seen this on tv and had to search the internet for the newpaper that ran the story..Someone has to step up and let this man out to be with his daughter..MY GOD WHAT KIND OF WORLD DO WE LIVE IN..My first wife died of cancer in my arms..I know what the family is going through, i would not want this for my worst enemey..This newspaper needs to post a number for people to call. to help this guy get out ot be there for his daughter "

 John Cassidy wrote on March 22, 2008 2:12 am:
" I have a good friend who did the same thing as this girls father..He spent 14yrs for his drug making and dealing..Hes been out now for 6yrs..people do make mistakes. i would trust my friend with my 5yr old.as a matter of fact he will have my son all weekend as im taking my wife to vegas..FOR GOD SAKE LET THIS MAN OUT TO BE WITH HIS DAUGHTER "

 tc wrote on March 22, 2008 5:30 am:
" I too believe he should be allowed the supervised furlough. The article is clear that the family has paid for the 2 other visits. He's not asking for a pardon - just a visit.

BUT...it is incredible to me that so many of you are downplaying the meth charge. METH is a violent drug -- DRUGS are killing our society -- and if it were for drugs, many of our more violent criminals would probably not be violent criminals. Think about the message you are sending with your down-play of the severity of his charge. "

 Jan wrote on March 22, 2008 8:12 am:
" Althoug we all realize Jason is in prision for a crime he committed, but Jayci is paying the price also. This child did not do anything wrong. Why does she have to suffer for someone elses wrong doing? They government lets dangerous prisioners out for shopping and movies, but refuse to let this child's father out to be with his dying child. What is wrong with this picture? Evidently the deciding officials do not realize what it is like to have a loved one dying of a horrible disease, especially a young child. Please give Jayci and her sister the comfort of their entire family at a very difficult time. Have him make up his time he needs to spend with his daughter. Don't punish a dying child because she has cancer. Put yourself in their shoes. Signed, Jan N "

 xgman wrote on March 22, 2008 8:21 am:
" He did the crime, now he's doing his time, which is almost up. The guy's not a murderer or rapist and didn't commit a violent crime. What exactly does the BOP mean by "extraordinary circumstances"? There is nothing more extraordinary than losing a child slowly and and not being able to say goodbye. Someone needs to appeal directly to the President. He's not asking for a pardon or clemency, but just A VISIT. "

 Read it twice wrote on March 22, 2008 8:23 am:
" To 'Joe', Genthe said THEY, as in the BOP, don't think this is extraordinary. To 'Me', don't worry about your taxes going up, the BROTHER is paying for the trips. Please people, READ the story twice before you comment. It's too bad being an idiot isn't illegal too. This man never denied he did wrong. He's never once said he shouldn't pay his debt to society. He requested the BOP move him to another approved facility closer. They said his situation was normal. BULL. "

 Move the kid? wrote on March 22, 2008 8:29 am:
" I think it's disgraceful that they won't let him have time to go be with his dying child, especially when he's due for parole to a halfway house in 5 months. But rather than count on politicians and bureaucrats to actually use a little discretion and initiative, maybe they should move the child to a hospice or hotel right by the place he's currently being held? Or heck - even a small motor home parked nearby. The article notes that he has to cross a public street to get between the buildings; surely it wouldn't be too much even for hard-hearted prison officials to let him stop to see his daughter for 15 minutes when he's walking past, would it? "

 karwied wrote on March 22, 2008 8:37 am:
" People on death row get to pick their last meal...this little girl is on death row. She didn't do anything wrong. Please, let her see her Daddy. Even if she isn't "awake" when he is there, she will know in her heart that he is beside her. He will pay for his crime for the rest of his lifetime. Look at the picture that is with this article. I believe he truly loves this little girl. Please, Please, have compassion. "

 appalled wrote on March 22, 2008 8:41 am:
" Ever since I moved back to Lincoln, I have wondered why?
Again and again Nebraskan government has dug their heels in negatively on things like this. Have a heart, no a bigger heart, reach on in there you can find it. Let this little angel have her dad there until the end. "

 sad wrote on March 22, 2008 9:00 am:
" Some of these comment make me sad. We live in such an unforgiving society. This is about Jayci not her dad. He is suffering the consequences of his actions and will continue to once she is gone but Jayci hasn't committed a crime. Although, I'm sure she's suffered greatly with the absence of her dad since his inprisonment she does not need to continue to pay for his crime on her death bed. Jayci is dying and scared. Every effort should be made to make sure she has the people she loves around her at this time.

Her father is not asking for a reduced sentence but simply to be with his dying child during her last hours. He will be guarded and suffering internally in ways we will never know. He did not commit a crime of violence and will soon be out on the streets. This is a man that needs help with his recovery, not judgement and scorn from others.

"

 Hank wrote on March 22, 2008 9:13 am:
" What is it that makes so many people so cruel as to want to deny a dying girl her wish? How a society deals with its outlaws is perhaps the best reflection of its level of civility. It is a sad fact that our prisons are managed by people who see punishment as their only task, regardless of the long-term consequences to relatives. This case is just one of millions of examples of how badly prison officials treat relatives of prisoners, who are, after all, the ones who will play the most important role in reintegrating prisoners into society. Yet, our politicians routinely play to the cruel law and order fanatics by by further increasing the already shameful and absurd proportion of people in prison. How much uglier a country do we want to become? "

 sutton_curmudgeon wrote on March 22, 2008 9:17 am:
" THe lack of action regarding this matter speaks volumes about the supposed *Christian* conviction of our elected leaders. If this girl dies before she can see her father, I will think a lot less of the parties involved. "

 Joe wrote on March 22, 2008 9:35 am:
" In this new article I see I was wrong about the name Genthe and I apologize to her aunt. The first article when I commented didn't say Genthe was her aunt. "

 aj wrote on March 22, 2008 9:51 am:
" Obviously this poor little one is waiting to say goodbye to her daddy, let her daddy come so she can go, how inhumane to further this childs suffering. I think this is so heart breaking. This man isn't asking to be "set free" he is just asking to be with his daughter in her final hours. If this isn't “extraordinary justification” then what is? I am praying everyday that someone will come to their senses and let these two have their final moment together...and as for paying for the crime he committed, uh I beleive that's what he is doing, but I think denying him and his daughter this one last moment, is more punishment then he deserves, and more importantly, it's more punishment then she deserves.
"

 extraordinary justification wrote on March 22, 2008 9:52 am:
" That's the problem. The government implies that there IS such a thing but doesn't define it. It makes people believe that their own hardship (which is undoubtedly quite extraordinary to them) would qualify. The problem is not merely that they won't let the guy see his kid, but that they torture his family by implying that their pain is not severe enough to merit any action. Should he see his kid? I don't know. Prison is supposed to be a bummer. The government is not your parent. Incarceration is supposed to keep you from the life experiences you would otherwise be having. Should the government tell the family that their hardship is "not good enough"? That is the painful social issue that everyone here either consciously or unconsciously recognizes. Whose hardship IS "good enough"? Why do THEY merit special treatment and this family (or maybe US, if we ever find ourselves in such a situation) do not. It's not about compassion. It's about privilege. This is the question that at least one person (thank you, Rep. Fortenberry) has had the intelligence to ask. The MEDIA (this means you, Ms. Waltke and LJS staff) should also be asking this question. The answer given by Mr. Nalley is vague and doesn't cut it. Feet to the fire, people. It's your job. "

 Abbey wrote on March 22, 2008 9:53 am:
" This is an illustration of why I wince very time I hear Bush and other politicians refer to this country as a "Christian nation". "

 Saddened wrote on March 22, 2008 10:23 am:
" I know all too well what it is like to lose a daughter. And to not have been holding her at the end would have broken our hearts. To know that she died alone without the two people that will offer undying love, would be unspeakable. I wish those prison officials could find a little compassion and allow daddy to be there to hold her one last time. God bless the family and have faith that she will be one of the brightest angels in heaven. "

 Mike wrote on March 22, 2008 10:29 am:
" I have no sympathy for people convicted of meth crimes or any other crime really, but this is just sad. He really needs to spend the last moments with his Daughter. The feds need to show a little compassion. "

 Maybe wrote on March 22, 2008 10:32 am:
" Read it twice should have read the first article YESTERDAY which was a totally different article than todays before saying too bad being an idiot isn't illegal. Shouldn't be so quick to jump to conclusions without checking the dates on the comments first. "

 jeff wrote on March 22, 2008 10:56 am:
" let him see his kid "

 abbylove wrote on March 22, 2008 10:57 am:
" What a sad story. I guess this is what is meant by the saying "Do the crime, pay the time" Not just the criminal that does the time but also the family and friends. "

 mark wrote on March 22, 2008 11:01 am:
" be a dad before you do the crime. you miss stuff that you'd like to do when you're in prison. that's kind of the point. "

 trying again to post wrote on March 22, 2008 11:24 am:
" This is just sad and sickening. The father was probably jailed with mandatory sentencing, which is not a good thing in the first place. It's a drug crime, not murder. Maybe he did hurt some people that got hooked on that crappy addictive drug, but he's not the first to make a mistake. He should be able to be with his daughter on her journey to a pain-free place. I can't believe some of the cold, heartless people on here commenting. "

 Maybe... wrote on March 22, 2008 11:46 am:
" if harsh prison sentences don't stop crime, maybe publicizing something like this will prevent the crime, but I doubt it. He committed the crime, let him do the time. This isn't the only child of someone incarcerated in the same boat, she just happens to be getting the attention. I say keep him in. He shouldn't have been allowed out previously. "

 Russ A lincon wrote on March 22, 2008 12:01 pm:
" i agree with those that say he should of not done the crime as sad as it may be he has to do his time what about the fathers that are missing their child now because drugs killed them the same kind of drugs he was selling he may or may not of sold to any children but, that is besides the point he is a cog in the drug machine that makes it go which makes him guilty and now has to pay the price. Now to another point that i am sure will drive some crazy what about the financial side of this who paid for the expense of his previous trips to town i am sure it is a very expensive trip to make. So i dont believe he should not be allowed to make the trip and think of it as part of his sentence something else he can think about when he gets out and has thoughts of committing more crimes What about our service men/women past and present who have been away serving us and our country when a close family member passed with out good- bye's life is full of choices and consequences he made his choices and now paying the consequence simple as that as hard as it is for some people to understand "

 WC76 wrote on March 22, 2008 12:05 pm:
" The same federal government that runs the prison system is the same federal government that will be running our health care system after HRC or BHO become president. Do you really want the compassionate federal bureaucrats deciding if your life-saving operation or medication meets their definition of "extraordinary justification"? "

 GMP2 wrote on March 22, 2008 12:56 pm:
" I would be willing to chip in to help pay the expenses for the guard. Someone set up a fund. "

 WOW wrote on March 22, 2008 12:58 pm:
" wow anywhere else everyone is like have a heart and here? people say make the dying girl suffer w/o getting to see her "evil" dad b4 she dies!! um yeah he made a mistake. and those kids whose lives he supposedly ruined? face it, they CHOSE meth. did jayci choose cancer? no. she didn't. he's served 4 of his 5 years and has offered to stay double if he can just see his daughter. you know, child abusers people aren't sentenced as harshly and im not saying thats right. im not saying what he did was. hes served time, he'll still serve more, and if you guys think this poor little girl should die on her own, i dont know a) why make a wish exists and b) what kind of living human beings with a soul can say that!! im usually proud to be a nebraskan but with all these comments im just ashamed!!!!!! "

 Failed war wrote on March 22, 2008 12:59 pm:
" This is how the war od drugs really works. It is a war against our own people. This man is a non-violent drug offender like millions others incarcerated in this country which cost tax payers ridiculous amounts of money, but does nothing to solve the problem. This disgusts me, as it should any reasonable and compassionate person. "

 Fact check (he has already visited ) wrote on March 22, 2008 1:24 pm:
" Jason Yaeger has visited his daughter three times since her condition was declared terminal last fall, once in October and twice in the past month.

They have already allowd him to visit three times TWICE in the past month. If they want her to see him take her up to Yankton it is not that long of a drive. "

 Chris wrote on March 22, 2008 1:25 pm:
" just by chance i happen to know a little about the federal system (sister) when they release an inmate from custody for drugs they most likely put them on an intense supervised release and believe me it is intense I say take this guys supervised release which is probably already set at 5 years and jack it up to 8 or 10 and let the man suffer at his daughters bedside "

 stop spending wrote on March 22, 2008 1:28 pm:
" They have already spend a lot of money taking care of this inmate. Inmates most do not work, and only take money from the system. I feel sorry for the girl not the father. "

 Forrest wrote on March 22, 2008 2:07 pm:
" I am sorry for the little girl. But for the dad you do the crime you do the time and by my count the girl was 2 1/2 yrs when he did the crime so he should set it out and reflect on what he has done to his family by him self. What about all of the military persons over seas and on the high sea that dont get this kind of help. "

 The Wizard wrote on March 22, 2008 2:16 pm:
" You people want to play tough!! Play tough with your own disfunctional family members!! This isn't about trying to be tough on crime!! It's about a 10 year girl, who loves her Daddy very much, and wants to hug him, and be near him before she dies!! Plus, her Dad's in a Community Corrections Facility, which means, NO Fences, No Gun Towers. Inmates are on an honor system in these type facilities!! Also, the Inmate pays for everything, i.e, the escorting guard, and transporation to and from. And as for unusual circumstances that the Corrections Facility is saying isn't there, to release him, to come see his daughter, just what the HELL kind of circumstances do you need!!!! This little girl is certainly part of the man's immediate family, and is very near to death!! I think you Federal boys, up there in South Dakota, need your butts kicked until you start thinking straight!! And everyone wonders, why there's so much hate in the world!! Do the right thing, and let this man come home, and say good-bye to his daughter!! "

 Ex Nebraskan wrote on March 22, 2008 2:59 pm:
" To "Fact Check": What kind of monster are you? "Take her up to Yankton"? This child is bedridden with terminal cancer. Can't you think about the child? It's not for his sake, it is for hers. What a hateful thing to say. "

 Jason wrote on March 22, 2008 3:05 pm:
" While I do have compassion for the situation....I'm sorry. He should be sitting in jail and that's that. I agree the "war" on drugs is a joke in this country BUT that is the system we have so until that changes, we live with it. He is a criminal. I've been around and seen too many people's lives affected by meth, so anyone who thinks it's not a major issue/crime, get real. He chose his path, now he should live the circumstances. Sadly, his daughter must live with those circumstances as well. Prisoners have far too many rights/privileges. This is only extending their "rights" that they should not have b/c they are in PRISON and chose to give up the freedom they were born with. "

 Abbey wrote on March 22, 2008 3:18 pm:
" This critical care nurse is appalled at the breathtakingly ignorant statement by "Fact Check" - "take her up to Yankton it is not that long of a drive" (I wanted to quote him accurately so had to swallow hard and not place a period where it belonged or a capital letter where it belonged). "Fact Check", your cerebral cortex surely cannot be that challenged that you would suggest taking the child in her condition on a three hour drive, or perhaps you do know what would happen to her. There are a lot of unsympathetic and un-Christian statements among all of these remarks, but this is without doubt the most callous. I can only hope that you do not have, or ever will have children of your own because your brutal attitude would make one fear for them. "

 HPG wrote on March 22, 2008 4:27 pm:
" So, her needing her Dad only happened since she became ill? Children need both their parents all the time. If this guy had thought about his priorities before committing the crime he would not be in this position. He has already been out twice. And as Ed Yeager sums it up in the last paragraph, "he just about paid his debt." Just about. I feel sorry for the child, but not the parent. You made your bed now lie in it.
As for those critical of the Warden, think about it, you make an exception for one, you will have to make an exception for all. Inmates want everything to be fair and equal all the time. Then, they are the first ones to complain when they can't get the rule changed. "

 Bao is amazed wrote on March 22, 2008 4:30 pm:
" I am completely amazed with everyone who is against this man seeing his daughter. It is not just about him committing a crime and doing his time. It is obviously more about letting this little girl see her father. Everybody is more concerned about him than her. This people, is what our society is coming to, its about vengeance and not compassion. This is why our criminal justice system will never work. Society is concerned with punishment instead of rehabilitating through faith and hope. Trust, I am not naive to people's ability to do the cruelest things to others without remorse, but there are still good people out there. Think this way, God has a reason to everything, maybe, just maybe, God is going to take this girl to Heaven to show her father the way to righteousness. Maybe this little girls death will not be of vain, like so many innocent ones before her. And just maybe, even this one time, we don't turn our back on another human being, maybe he might see the light to good. "

 punishment? wrote on March 22, 2008 4:44 pm:
" yeah, feel sorry for the girl, NOT THE FATHER! Her one and only wish is to see her Father. If he would have committed some other crime a little worse like rape, robbery or assult he would just get a slap on the hand anyways! Let him out then put him back in, sipmle as that! And as for money, prisoners do work, for little or nothing and if you would read the article correctly the family has been paying for him to visit!! It is inhumane to let a little angel suffer and hold on to the little bit of her life she can to wait for some jerk who gets paid millions to make a little decision!! HEART LESS PEOPLE!! "

 Compassion, please wrote on March 22, 2008 5:05 pm:
" Where is the humanity in people any longer? Has this state and community lost all sense of caring for your fellow humans or is it just every man for himself and the heck with the rest of you.

I thought caring and compassion for one another was part of our responsibilities as civilized human beings. From what I have read of some of the comments, there seems to be little compassion for a family that is in pain due to the fact that a small little girl is dying. THIS MAN'S DAUGHTER IS DYING. Moving Jayci probably is not a option.

Have we become so cold and hard core? The man sold drugs, yes! The man has 5 months left, yes! The father has seen his child several times already, yes! But is several times enough when your child is dying. This family needs comfort and compassion. Think about it if it were your child dying and you couldn't see them and maybe be there when they leave this earth.

Compassion, please "

 Read it twice wrote on March 22, 2008 5:08 pm:
" To "Maybe", just how is it that YOU are directly connected to the family or are you just going by the news (which NEVER gets anything wrong) or just by hearsay? Yeah, I thought so. And if you think the BOP shouldn't have granted him escorted trips previously, which according to THEIR OWN BOP LAWS THEY CAN, if they don't, aren't they breaking the law? And if so, how are THEY being punished? Where are THEY serving their time? Have you ever j-walked? Ever even littered? Sure, it's not even close to the same catagory as meth, but it is still breaking our country's laws. Before you judge others buddy, you need to look at yourself. Nobody in this world is perfect. Jesus was. He died for ALL sins. Yours and Mine. Why are you so unforgiving? "

 ap wrote on March 22, 2008 5:46 pm:
" after reading many of these comments, it seems like many of these people have never done anything they shouldn't have or something that may harm others. true, it may not have been to the extent of meth, but we all lie, gossip, etc. this man has served time and he's not asking to be pardoned. this girl is blessed that she has two living parents who deeply desire to be with her - and she wants to be with them - the prison needs to let him go! he made a mistake, and prison was his punishment. not being with his dying daughter was not written in his sentence. "

 Jeff wrote on March 22, 2008 7:01 pm:
" You people are missing the point and maybe need to go back to school! The point is for this little girl, her wish! not for the dad. Get a clue people! "

 katie wrote on March 22, 2008 7:26 pm:
" to the people who are saying that it's his fault and he has to suffer the consequences... it's not him that's suffering, it's the little girl. it doesn't matter what he did his daughter is the one who didn't do anything wrong and yet she's being punished. you people don't think straight. how would you like to be that little girl who can't see her father?? "

 Eddie wrote on March 22, 2008 10:19 pm:
" While my thoughts and prayers are with Jayci, I do think people need to look at the bigger picture. Her father was sent to prison for breaking he law. There is no argument he should be in prison. So, let's say we let him go to be by his daughter's side. Every inmate in every prison has someone in their family who has ‘extraordinary circumstances’ with which to deal. Can you imagine the increase in personnel, and transportation costs? I know a little girl's last wish is important, but you know as well as I do once this door is opened, it is very difficult to shut. And who decides what the circumstances are? What constitutes a close family member? Not a road we should go down. "

 Greg wrote on March 23, 2008 12:13 am:
" Didn't some of you folks read this???

"Jason Yaeger has visited his daughter three times since her condition was declared terminal last fall, once in October and twice in the past month."

For someone in federal custody, I'd say he was getting more visits than I would have expected. I understand this is a sad case and I feel for the family, I really do... But I also hate how they seem to be playing the press on this. Previous stories I have seen mentioned nothing about him having visited once, (I saw that on TV finally Fri AM) let alone three times in the last six months!! Until I saw that, I thought maybe the Warden was being unreasonable, but I also accuse the family or the press of downplaying those visits so they can appeal to the public about this, maybe it makes for a better story and the press is to blame... I just think they should've been very clear about the previous allowances for visitation... Finding out now about these three visits makes them come across as ungrateful for what breaks the warden has given them.
"

 Compasssion wrote on March 23, 2008 3:30 am:
" My compassion goes to dying children whose fathers aren't criminals. I'm glad everyone is so confident he's not violent. Ever seen a meth addict? Sure, he's well-behaved now because he wants to see his daughter. Once she dies, are you going to guarantee he'll return to jail? Besides, he's already seen three times. He's gotten favors. Good luck in the next life. "

 jo wrote on March 23, 2008 9:53 am:
" She should get to see her father before shes dies. Not for him, for her. "

 jeff wrote on March 23, 2008 10:28 am:
" He has seen her, in October and twice in the last month. I think the prison system is doing everything right, and even giving him the opportunity to see her three times is three times more than most inmates get. This is what happens in a narcicistic society, poor me, it's not my fault, I'm the victim not the bad guy. If you wrong society you need to be held accountable for your actions. Give me a break! "

 MarkyMark wrote on March 23, 2008 11:27 am:
" The answer is simple. The man has done about 80% of his sentence...send him home for the little girls sake. The prisons are overcrowded already. You holier than thou people on this post need to look in the mirror. Have you no heart? "

 for all the "bigger picture" people wrote on March 23, 2008 12:25 pm:
" For everyone who says "look at the bigger picture". Well if we can do that, then lets look even bigger, lets look at the big picture that we are all humans. Though the laws may check us from anomie, we still are bound to human frailties. The bigger picture is that we are humans who have feelings, and not to have empathy for this man is inhumane. The heart should be more powerful than the mind, but because of our complexity we struggle with this. Our responsibility as humans is the realize the pain of the child and family, and do what we can cor them, that is what separates us from animals. I have studied Criminal Justice, so I am aware that there are problems that are similiar, but to all the ones that have something to say over hearsay and gossip, this is a more unique story than you think. Everybody focuses on, "Do not let him go to see his daughter", try focusing on, "Let the daughter see her father." Do you really think that preventing this man from seeing his daughter will change him into being a better citizen when he gets out, or is he gonna have animosity against the government and society? GOD gives us all opportunity, but many of us ignore it. Life is the "bigger picture". "

 Liza wrote on March 23, 2008 4:41 pm:
" The article says she was diagnosed with brain tumors at age 3. Where has he been for the past 7 years as she has fought this disease? He should have started to be a man 7 years ago, by taking care of business so he could be by his daughters side as much as possible instead of falling into a disgusting trade. I feel bad for this little girl because she has probably wanted him around more than just now, during her final days. Who knows what the outcome will be but maybe this guy will use it as an opportunity to do good. Maybe he could talk to other drug idio-I mean users, about the reality of what you can miss out on in life. Hopefully some good will come from it. "

 Dawn Truitt wrote on March 23, 2008 6:24 pm:
" I would like to say that it would honor her to hear her father because she deserve to have her father there to give her lasting wish. Also, it would give the child peace at heart knowing that he was there to give her the love that he have for his child. It break my heart to see this is happening to a beautiful child that NEEDS her daddy! Please just give this child a break so she don't have to suffer anymore. "

 Bob Canning wrote on March 23, 2008 6:58 pm:
" What kind of monster is the warden of Yankton Federal Prison? How unfeeling and heartless do people who love to flex their POWER have to be? What kind of human being wouldn't grant a dying child her last wish -- to have her daddy by her bedside in her final days? Can't the Make a Wish Foundation help this little girl? "

 Todd wrote on March 23, 2008 9:58 pm:
" The people who aren't allowing this man to see his dying child are pathetic. And for those of you who say this guy doesn't deserve it because he committed a crime have no compassion or empathy. It's about the girl, not about the father. Think about it that way before you judge. "

 Andrea wrote on March 23, 2008 10:00 pm:
" I feel like they are punishing the daughter. The father did break the law however, he is suffering from the fact that he will be losing his daughter soon and that he has to live with for the rest of his life. A 10 year old should be granted the exception not the man whom committed a crime. I am sure seeing his daughter in this condition is not something that is bringing him joy but something that is bringing her comfort. "

 Linds wrote on March 23, 2008 10:04 pm:
" This is wrong. What the heck is the matter with our country, a father should be allowed to see his dying daugther and a dying little girl should be given her wish. If this doesn't call for a special situation that would allow him to be out of prison for a few hours, then what the heck does? This is wrong and cruel!!! "

 Herb wrote on March 23, 2008 10:16 pm:
" Perhaps he should have thought of the effect on his family back when he was committing his crimes! He didn't care enough about his family to live a straight life before, why should we believe eh cares any more now? "

 Brian Dunlap wrote on March 24, 2008 12:04 am:
" Everyone who is for giving this criminal an extra furlough do understand that he has seen her twice right? So you do understand that the prison has done all that it needs to do right? So you do understand that he could have got a furlough later, instead of twice in a month, right? Sorry, and i do feel horrible for the daughter, but if this guy wanted to be with his child, he shouldn't have done what he did to end up at a federal prison. We all make choices in life, and now this criminal has to live with it, knowing that he denied his daughter this wish, not the prison system. "

 armstrong wrote on March 24, 2008 7:18 am:
" My heart goes out to Jayci. It is heartbreaking to see that she cannot have her dad there with her 24/7, however, the warden has allowed her father more than one furlough because of her health. In most instances, inmates only get one visit, either a bedside or funeral one.
I agree with Chomper, there are many people in prison who have lost their loved ones while they were/are incarcerated, but the bottom line is...they should have been thinking about their loved ones before they did the crime. Jason did wrong and he is being punished for it, but so is his daughter and I hope he remembers that for the rest of his life and turns his life around.
If he'd been a convicted child molester, would you have been so forgiving? Crimes are crimes and criminals are criminals, no one crime or criminal is any better than the next.
And for those of you who were wondering who paid for the trips, it was the family. It is always the family of the criminals who pay, they are victims of crimes as well as the people the criminal perpetrated his crime(s) against.
The warden showed his/her compassion on more than one occasion and I think that was very generous. It is a warden's job, and his agency's job to ensure first the safety of the public, then his employees and last but not least the safety of his offender. It isn't always an easy decision to make, but he has rules to follow as well. "

 Really??? wrote on March 24, 2008 8:56 am:
" This situation is unthinkable to me. I first saw the story on CNN and had no idea it was taking place in my hometown. I find it disgusting to read the peoples post who say "too bad for him." First off they are drug related offenses. Not that he doesn't deserve time for the offense, but come on. He didn't harm anyone...I don't think being out for a week or two is really going to make a difference in his time in prison. He is in a minimal security prison and going to be released in less than six months. If he was in prison for murder, rape, etc. then I could see their point. If a ten year old girl dying of cancer isn't extraordinary then what is? If they aren't going to let him have this time with his child who NEEDS him in order to pass away in peace then what are they going to let someone out for? I truly can't think of a worse situation. And, to the post that says one visit is enough and who is paying for it....first, it said it cost the family, second if money is the issue I'm sure there are plenty of us who would personally donate money to see this happen. If money is seriously the issue here I think there plenty of people who have a heart that would make the trip possible. This is cruel and unusual punishment...not for the father, for the child, and denying her a last moment with her dad is more criminal than meth. "

 mixed emotions wrote on March 24, 2008 10:50 am:
" As I have mixed emotions regarding this issue, there are a few questions that pop into my mind. First, I have known people arrested for drugs that have gotten a sentence of a few months. What exactly did he do to receive 5 years? Also when I look at the timeline of events, his daughter developed cancer 7 years ago, he is serving a 5 year sentence. Obviously, he didn't care his daughter had cancer when he was doing his crime. He obviously hasn't seen her very much the last few years. Also, the family commented to the amount of money they have spent on his last 3 visits (of which I pray the family had to pay for) too bad!!! He did the crime - it is not up to us as taxpayers to pay for his visits!! As I said I have mixed emotions because his daughter is the one being punished, not him; however, he knew his daughter had cancer when he did his drugs and what he was getting into when he messed with his drugs. He took the risk and got caught! "

 a daddy wrote on March 24, 2008 11:28 am:
" its about letting his daughter see him not the other way around so all you heartless people who say no should re-consider your position. "

 Bijan wrote on March 24, 2008 11:37 am:
" I am Iranian and every day read about the American criticism of our government's alleged breaches of human rights. Some true some greatly axaggerated.

I don't have rose-tinted glasses about what happens in my country, but when I came across this story, I have to say