Meet Saraya: she was experiencing a mental health crisis. Police came and tackled her. She is 15.

Saraya Rees is a 15 year old biracial girl from Coos County, Oregon. After being abruptly instructed to stop taking her antidepressants by a local pediatrician, Saraya went into psychosis. In her manic state, Saraya poured a small amount of gasoline on the floor. Her parents called Coos Health & Wellness in hope that that would send mental health advisors, Coos Health & Wellness sent the police. While still in psychosis, the officers arrested her, questioned her without her family or lawyers present, charged with attempted murder and assault, and sent her to juvenile prison for 11 years.

ELEVEN.YEARS.

This is not justice.

This is inhumane.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:

1. Call these people and demand that she be let go to the custody in her parents.

Please call Governor Kate Brown and Senator Jeff Merkely.⁠

⁠

📞Governor Kate Brown: (503) 378-4582⁠

📞Senator Jeff Merkley: (503) 326-3386⁠

2. Sign the petition! 

http://chng.it/dPR59dnMzq

Please DO NOT donate to CHANGE.ORG, instead donate to Saraya’s gofundme. 

3. Follow @justiceforsaraya on instagram. You can find info on where to send her encouragement cards and get updated on progress.

4. SEND CARDS TO THE FOLLOWING (please also note card sending rules)

OAK CREEK CORRECTIONAL FACIILITY  C/O SARAYA REES 4400 LOCHNER ROAD SE  ALBANY, OR 97332

EDIT: PLEASE CONSIDER THESE RULES WHEN SENDING HER CARDS! The family has asked for the following when sending cards: 

-No vulgar language or cursing (she’s a child, afterall) 

-No stickers

-No metal 

- Do not use return address stickers

-No Cash

Using these things could mean Saraya doesn’t get your card. If you want to donate to the family during this very hard time, please use the GOFUND ME.

 https://www.gofundme.com/f/justice4saraya

You can also send her gifts for when she gets out to a PO BOX: 

SARAYA’S PO BOX PO BOX 211 MYRTLE POINT, OR 97458

MENTAL ILLNESS IS NOT A CRIME. LET’S FREE OUR GIRL SARAYA!!!

Hey to whoever is reading this,

My stepdad is going to extreme lengths to avoid paying child support and wants full custody of my baby brother. He’s going as far as calling my mom a drug addict/alcoholic, accusing her of domestic abuse, and spewing a whole bunch of lies in court. This man has made perverted comments towards my 17 year old sister, has severe anger/alcohol issues, and is just stooping so low. His family has money to afford an expensive lawyer, our family is made up of a bunch of working class immigrants who are struggling to get by. 

We are all pitching in what we can, but my mom needs 15k total to pay for this lawyer. I’m also pitching in what i can as a student with a part time job. I know there are cheaper ones out there, my mom got one of them but the guy did a horrible job. Didn’t understand her story, didn’t bother to learn it. We ended up looking so bad during the first court hearing. 

My stepdad currently has temporary full custody of my baby brother, and i’m really scared for him because he was so attached to my mom, my sisters, and I. Doesn’t help that my stepdad never took care of him while he was still married to my mom and they live in a cigarette smoking household. 

At this point we are desperate. My mom doesn’t care if she doesn’t get child support or even if she has to pay it. She’s even gonna let my stepdad have every other weekend with my brother. She just wants him back and wants to be the main caregiver. If you can pitch in even just a few dollars, it would help us so much. 

If you can please reblog i would also appreciate it so much.

my paypal is: paypal.me/etceleste