The sentencing of Dequan Yearwoodto just two years in prison for the unlawful sexual intercourse of a 14-year-old girl with a learning disability has sparked a firestorm of concern among disability advocates, legal experts, and the wider public. The offense, which took place in January 2022, involved a vulnerable minor who was found in Yearwood’s apartment by someone who had gone looking for her. When Yearwood finally opened the door, the girl was reportedly adjusting her clothing. The young teen, developmentally delayed by three years, later confirmed to her mother what had happened after her siblings were overheard discussing the situation. The case made its way to the High Court, where a jury found Yearwood guilty in November 2024. However, despite the offense carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years, Yearwood received a mere two-year sentence.
For many, the outcome is devastating—not just for the victim and her family, but for the credibility of the judicial system itself. JoshuanetteFrancis, founder of Good Humans 268 Inc., stood outside the courthouse to peacefully voice what many were thinking: “I’m not protesting, but I want to make a statement that two years is not enough. She has a learning disability. She cannot comprehend it properly, and he only gets two years.” Francis pointed to the Disability and Equal Opportunities Act of 2017, saying that while laws exist on paper, their enforcement is often lacking, especially when the victims are people with disabilities. “We passed a law for inclusion and protection, yet we continue to fail the very people it was meant to defend,” she said.
Sexual violence against individuals with disabilities is often underreported, misunderstood, and undervalued in the courts. The 14-year-old victim in this case, like many others, had limited ability to advocate for herself. Without a supportive family and investigative follow-through, her case may never have reached trial at all. A quote by disability rights advocate Kathie Snow resonates deeply: “Disability is natural. We must stop believing that disabilities keep a person from doing something. Because that’s not true… having a disability doesn’t mean you can’t be believed.”
Francis’s peaceful demonstration has ignite public interest in the rights of disabled victims. Legal advocates are calling for: Mandatory sentencing reviews in cases involving vulnerable persons. Special provisions in criminal law to account for intellectual disabilities. Expanded training for judges and prosecutors on disability rights.
Public pressure is building. The sentiment is widespread: this case cannot become just another headline. It must serve as a turning point for how the justice system handles crimes against vulnerable populations. “I stood for her,” Francis said. “And I will keep standing until this country starts treating its disabled citizens like they matter. Because they do.”
Joshuanette Francis
Founder and President, Good Humans 268 Inc.
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What you expected for an pedophile society (non all)…the big and the crack head love give problem to the little one’s,not even mention the inbreeders THIS KIND OF PIECE OF GARBAGE ARE WORST.
5
These are the injustices in the system that needs cleansing. A vulnerable and helpless young girl, a minor and disabled, one who could not fend for herself and her rapist took advantage of her and got away with a slap on the wrist – a mere two year sentence. The sentences for rape dilutes the seriousness, gravity and severity of the act. Just recently we see and hear of one Addison Browne, twice convicted of the same offense of raping two 13 year olds, and on both occasions escaping with a mere 9 year sentence. Our law makers need to make these sentences make sense. Just as they went to Parliament and made the minimum sentence for having an illegal gun prison time, our women and girls deserve more respect and regard. Raping is a traumatic event and rapists ought not to get away so easy and lightly.
I wonder if there comes a time when someone retaliates against a crime, which too often goes unreported or under-reported because they know instinctively that they are not seen, if that person will feel the full extent of ‘the law’?
WHAT THE HELL…! …OH LAWD…! …LENIENCY v SEVERITY…?
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AS THE NEWS STORY SUGGESTED, IT IS CERTAINLY NOT THE ‘…CREDIBILITY OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM’ [Paragraph 2].
BUT THE QUALITY OF PERSONNEL APPOINTED TO:
(a) ‘…ADMINISTRATE: and to
(b) …DISPENSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE.’
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JURISDICTIONALLY RE-ASSIGNED
SOME, DEFINITELY AND ‘…JURISDICTIONALLY,’ NEED TO BE ‘…RE-ASSIGNED.’
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CALLING FOR JUSTICE: …CALL TO JUSTICE MINISTER
IT IS REALLY, A CALL FOR ‘…MINSTER OF JUSTICE, ‘…SIR STEADROY ‘CUTIE’ BENJAMIN KGCN.’
***
NOW:
THE MENTAL CAPACITY OF THE ‘…ALLEGED RAPE VICTIM,’ UNDOUBTEDLY, MAY VERY WELL HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED:
(i) ‘…A SERIOUS AGGRAVATING FACTOR:
(ii) …THE VICTIM’S VULNERABILITY AND SUSCEPTIBILITY MAY ALSO BEEN FACTORED: and
(iii) …MOST TELLING MAY HAVE BEEN THE VICTIMS AGE THAT MAKES THE CRIME ONE OF ‘…STRICT LIABILITY OF LAW: as far as:
(iv) …BEING INCAPABLE OF GIVING CONSENT’ WAS CONCERNED.’
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SEEMED CLEARLY, A CASE OF ‘…NON-CONSENSUALITY.’
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APPELLATE JURISDICTION
MAYBE A CASE FOR ‘…APPELLATE JURISDICTION,’ TO LOOK AT:
(i) ‘…LENIENCY:
(ii) ..SEVERITY: and
(iii) …PROTECTION OF SOCIETY. ‘
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GOOD REASONING MY FRIEND ‘AP.’
YOU ARE APPOINTED ‘…SEX TRIAL JUDGE.’
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LENIENT JUDGES TO JAIL:
ALMOST CERTAIN THAT YOU WILL ‘…COMMIT SOME LENIENT JUDGES TO JAIL.’
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TALK GOOD.
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