We are deeply concerned about the unjust and harmful incarceration of an 11-year-old girl at the Lafayette Juvenile Detention Center. We demand her immediate release and call for a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to her wrongful imprisonment.

The incarceration of a child, especially on charges as severe as first-degree murder, is a bad miscarriage of justice. This young girl is being subjected to an unimaginable trauma that could have lasting effects on her mental and emotional well-being. Studies have shown that incarceration at such a young age can lead to long-term psychological damage, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Furthermore, the trauma inflicted upon this child is intensified by the fact that she has been detained since November 29, 2023. Nearly 3 months of her childhood will have been spent behind bars by her March 7th and 8th trial date.

We must take action to correct this injustice and hold public officials accountable. By signing this petition, we are demanding:

The immediate release of the 11-year-old girl from the Lafayette Juvenile Detention Center.
A thorough review of the legal proceedings and evidence surrounding her case to ensure that justice is served.
Comprehensive support services, including counseling and therapy, to address the trauma she has experienced during her incarceration.
Accountability for those responsible for wrongfully detaining a child.
We cannot stand idly by while a broken system unjustly derails a child's life. Every moment she spends in detention is a grave injustice that must be rectified immediately.

Join us in demanding justice for this young girl and ensuring that she is released from the Lafayette Juvenile Detention Center without further delay.