I am writing this petition tou you for your help to bring my son home. He has been incarcerated since May of 2013, he didnt hurt anyone but he did destroy properity. Shai suffered abuse in December of 2012 (http://www.wcpo.com/news/national/indiana-dad-smeared-spicy-mustard-in-sons-wounds-police-say)He couldnt handle the emotional stress of what happened and the court dealings. So my son acted out at the age of 13. He has continued to suffer. Before this happened Shai went to Sheriffs camp in the summer, volunteered at the Kennedy Library from july 2011 to feb 2013 was accepted to start volunteering at I.U. Ball Hospital in may. Shai also took part in a leadership program for youth at the Y.M.C.A.. Played football and basketball at school. My son is not a lost cause that needs to be forgotten in the system because i cannot afford more than a public attorney. Let me read you a little of my last letter recieved from Shai on Jan 3,2015.

Every night i lay in my bunk with about 7 other offenders (there not all kids theres a 20 yearold in my unit) and i tear up thinking about how...i cant even put it into words.I love you mom, please get me out of this place, it is sucking the life out of me and its built so that you never leave!!

Now let me tell you a little about what Shai has been able to accomplish under these every day circumstances. My son holds A and B's in his courses. He recently took a Practice G.E.D and scored 580 in social studies and science, 690 in language arts,reading, 610 in language arts,writing and 590 in mathematics. He is not even old enough to take it for another year. So I ask you is this a child who needs to grow up incarcerated or become the next statistic. My plan for Shai when he returns home (which is already being put into place) is to continue councling and participate in a junior firefighter progrom and Explorers program throught the county police department, Shai's dream since he was 5 was to become a policeman.

Im going to leave you with a prayer my son says every night it was included in my last letter from him. "Dear God, I just want to ask that you forgive me of my sins. God i want to pray for jordan, anthony,greenwood that they pass TASC. Father I want to pray that you bless them and help them go home, God I want to pray that you help me be good and go home Father I love You and I just.....Please help me Father and I want to pray that you help my mom not be so sad because of me, please, and let her know I love her and I really am trying..Jesus name I pray..Father I aslo ask that you allow me to escape this world and have a deep dream so that I can be away from this place for at least a bit..in Jesus name I pray amen." even in prayer he is thinking of those around him..

I ask you as you read my petition to bring Shai Home and search your own hearts, if this sounds like a Child that deserves a chance to become the amazing Young Man I know is Shai M. Kirksey..Then I ask you To Sign this and show aggreement that his Mother is not the only person who BELIEVES He will become an asset to his community and a positive roll model for other youth. Our abused and emotionally lost children belong at home to get the help and love only Family, Church, and Community can give them...

Thank You And God Bless you for your Support

Michelle Diakite,, Shai Kirkseys Proud Mother