Gir’s Dying Wish…read(sad)
A little girl fights for her life, and her last wish is to see her father. But that wish may not come true."They didn’t expect her to still be here. She’s fighting, day by day, minute by minute," said Vonda Yaeger, mother. 10/11 has followed the story of 10-year-old Jayci Yaeger as she battled brain tumors. Now doctors say she is about to lose that fight. Her last wish is to spend what time she has left with her father, but he is in a federal prison for drug charges.
Less than six months ago, Jayci was energetic, fun and upbeat. Now she’s just a shadow of what she used to be — lying in a hospital bed. Jayci has brain tumors and doctors say she’s dying. "What doctors say? They say there’s nothing they can do for her. The tumors are growing and hemorrhaging, and right now nothing they can do for her, just keep her comfortable," Vonda Yaeger said.
In less than two months, cancer turned an energetic little girl into someone those who know her hardly recognize. During the fight, her family has been hopeful, but now reality is setting in. "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," Yaeger said. There’s one more thing Yaeger said her daughter needs — her father, Jason. But he’s in federal prison in South Dakota and has been denied repeated attempts to grant him a 30-day release. Yaeger was convicted of methamphetamine charges nearly five years ago.
"She expressed many times that she misses him, and he talks to her on the phone now and she cries. That’s the only time I see her cry," Yaeger said. In fact, Yaeger said the need to see her father is the only thing keeping Jayci going. "I think she understands. She knows what the outcome is going to be. She’s very scared, and I think she’s holding on for her father," Yaeger said.
Yaeger said denying Jayci’s last wish is cruel, and goes beyond punishing Jason for any crime he ever committed. "She didn’t do anything wrong. He was there for her when she was born. He should be there for her when she goes," she said.
Jayci’s family said they aren’t looking to get Jason out of prison, or shorten his sentence. They even asked for him to be put on electronic surveillance while was in Lincoln, and he offered to serve double his remaining time when he went back.
Yankton Federal Prison Camp officials said they had no comment on the situation. Jayci’s family just hopes they have a change of heart before it’s too late.
*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.
The Yaegers has been asked if there is a way for the public to help the family with the assistance of Jayci’s funeral, which we know will be soon in the future.
The family has set up a place where people can send donations:
Jayci Yaeger Benefit Fund
Care of Guardians Incorp.
1707 South 17th St.
Suite 1D
Lincoln, Neb.
68502
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(March 28) At 1:47 Friday morning, Jayci Yaeger died.
"I think Jayci was hanging on for her daddy . She just let go after she knew daddy was here to be with her. We’re glad that she got to be with him one last time," said Ed Yaeger, Jayci’s uncle.
Nearly two days after seeing her father, 10-year-old Jayci Yaeger lost her fight with brain cancer. Family members say Jayci was hanging by a thread, fighting just long enough to see her father one last time. When Jayci’s dad, Jason, was allowed to travel from prison in South Dakota to see his daughter in Lincoln, family members say Jayci could finally let go.
"We’re happy that it was peaceful and that she is no no longer in pain, and her suffering is over," Ed Yaeger said.
A once smiling, vibrant girl, 10-year-old Jayci Yaeger could hang on no longer. Just after 2:00 Friday morning, with her mother and grandmother by her side, Jayci lost her battle with cancer.
"Her breathing had become different than normal. The nurse noticed and woke Sherry and Vonda up and told them that they needed to be with Jayci.
Then, just moments later, she passed away,"
But one person was not by Jayci’s side who the family said should have been. "We really wish Jason could have been there by her side to be with her in her last moments," Ed said. Jason is serving the final year of a five-year prison sentence in South Dakota. Prison officials brought him to Lincoln to see Jayci Wednesday afternoon for about 20 minutes. Even though the visit was cut short by an Omaha news station, Jayci’s dying wish to see her daddy had been granted.
"I think Jayci was hanging on for her daddy. She just let go after she knew daddy was here to be with her. We’re glad that she got to be with him one last time," he said. Jason learned of Jayci’s death shortly after it happened.
"I talked to him around 2 a.m. After he was notified, he was upset, understandably," Ed Yaeger said.
But a few hours later, Jason called back with renewed determination to be with his family during their time of gr
ieving and to be there for Jayci, as she’s laid to rest. "Jason’s a fighter, and Jason was again trying to figure out how we can get him down here for the funeral," Ed said.
Ed Yaeger said the family couldn’t get Jason out of prison right now, so they headed to Yankton to be with him.
Jason also told family members he’s focused on another responsibility of his — spending time with his other daughter, Shelby, who needs her daddy right now too. Prison officials won’t say whether or not Jason will be released for the funeral, but the Yaegers said they’re still holding out hope Jason can be there for Jayci’s final goodbye.
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This story was really sad. Jason wasn’t asking to be released for good. He was just asking to be there when his daughter passed away. He even said that he would double his remaining time. So why no let him go. Or why not have somone with him? This poor little girl just wanted her dad. At least he got to be there for 20 mins. Not long enough in my eyes though. I was reading more about this whole story. People emailing and posting what they can and how they feel about this warden. Emailing him, the president, etc. Don’t blame them. I would really understand if he was a murderer. But he just sold drugs. He served 4 out of the 5 years. So why not give him 30 days. That is all she wanted. She wanted her dad to hold her while she passed.
How heartless can you be??
