Girls Who Were Children

A story about justice, mercy, and the children America forgot.

They were children.

Now they face life in prison.

Carly Madison Gregg was just 14 years old, struggling through a mental health crisis. She was on day 4 or 5 of the black box warning SSRI Lexapro when she fell into what experts believe was a psychosis state. In that state, she shot her mother and injured her stepfather.

Today, her stepfather and maternal grandparents stands firmly by her side, reminding the public and the jury that something was terribly wrong and Carly was not herself.

Jamie Lynn Silvonek was only 13 years old when her adult boyfriend brutally stabbed her mother in the driveway of their home. Jamie has now served 10 years of her 30-to-life sentence.

She is remorseful, accepts responsibility, and today at 24 years old is an exemplary inmate, respected by prison staff and loved and forgiven by her father and family.

Karen Howell was just 17 years old and has now spent 29 years behind bars. She signed a Life Without Parole plea deal because she did not want the others involved to face the death penalty.

In the end, everyone received life sentences — even though only one person pulled the trigger.

All three girls were children when their lives changed forever.

Science proves the human brain is still developing through adolescence. Yet children across America are still being sentenced to die in prison.

When a child’s worst moment happens before adulthood…what should justice really look like?

If you believe children deserve mercy, healing, and the chance to grow and change, please share their stories. 💜⚖️