Mother of four granted release to care for children (2021)

Originally published April 13, 2021. Statements about the law were updated in October 2026; the box below gives today’s rules.

What the law says now (October 2026). A federal judge can reduce a sentence for “extraordinary and compelling” reasons (reasons that are especially unusual and convincing). You must first ask the warden in writing. You can file in court 30 days after the warden gets the request, or sooner if you finish the Bureau of Prisons’ appeals (18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)). The judge also weighs the sentencing factors in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). See who may seek compassionate release.

COVID-19 and outbreaks. Today a court looks at whether the prison is affected, or at imminent risk of being affected, by an ongoing infectious disease outbreak or public health emergency, and whether the person faces a higher risk of severe illness or death that cannot be reduced in time (U.S.S.G. § 1B1.13(b)(1)(D)).
Family circumstances. A court may consider the death or incapacitation of the caregiver of your minor child (or of an adult child who cannot care for themselves), or the incapacitation of a spouse, registered partner, or parent when you would be the only available caregiver (U.S.S.G. § 1B1.13(b)(3)).

Outcomes vary. A past result does not predict or guarantee the outcome of any other case.

Mother Compassionate Release

United States v. Warren

United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, Charlotte Division

2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 68871

A mother of four was granted compassionate release. Her three youngest children were living with her parents, who were both seriously ill and could no longer care for them well.

Her sentence

On October 9, 2018, Helen Michelle Warren was sentenced to 60 months in prison for one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. She had only three months left to serve, with a projected release date of July 24, 2021.

Her children and their caregivers

Ms. Warren has four children, ages 9, 11, 17 and 19. The three youngest live with her parents, who were made guardians of her minor children when she went to prison.

But her mother, Priscella Ramsey, has a history of diabetes, lung cancer, breast cancer, multiple sclerosis, stroke and COPD. Mrs. Ramsey is also being treated for, or has been diagnosed with, chronic pulmonary disease, severe anxiety disorder, chronic pain from multifocal osteoarthritis, cerebrovascular disease, carotid artery stenosis, subclavian artery stenosis and seizure disorder. In August 2020, her doctor wrote that “her conditions make it difficult for her to provide for her husband who requires assistance with activities in daily living.”

Ms. Warren’s father, Mr. Ramsey, has high blood pressure, congestive heart failure and spine deterioration. Because of these, he depends on Mrs. Ramsey to get through daily life.

The three minor children in the care of Ms. Warren’s parents each have psychological disorders, which makes caring for them especially hard for her sick parents. Her 19-year-old daughter cannot help care for the younger children because she has a severe learning disability.

Her own health

Ms. Warren also has asthma, possible hypertension and a thyroid condition. All of these put her at higher risk of complications if she caught COVID-19.

If you want help with a compassionate release request, book a consultation.