My daughter Chelsea Chafee was arrested on 10/7/2011 with her co-defendent. Chelsea was charged with accountabilty to arson and accountabilty to theft. She was at the wrong place at the wrong time. She was charged because she did not react like a normal person would have in that situation. Chelsea has been raped and abused in every relationship she has ever had. These abuses range from emotionally, sexually, and physically. This is not a excuse, but it does change a woman. Chelsea wil act differently and will not react like a normal person when put in situations.

Chelsea was released from jail on a bond. She got a job as a head housekeeper at a local motel and had her own residence. She has a fiance that has no record and is a good man and they are in a heathly relationship. He has stood by her side from day 1 and still believes in her because she didnt do anything wrong. I will always believe and stand by Chelsea. My daughter deserves a second chance in getting paroled in April and get back to her 8 year old daughter. Chelsea is doing everything in her power to get back to her daughter because she is innocent.

Chelsea went to trial on March 2013. During her trial, her co defendent testified on the behalf of the defense and Chelsea. He confessed since day 1 that he was the one that broke into the vehicle and set it on fire. He told the court that Chelsea had nothing to do with it and that she was in shock.

On Febuary 28, 2012 Chelsea turned in a co-worker for stealing. He confessed the theft after being confronted by their employer and the co-worker was fired. This same co -worker testified at her court and was caught lying several times. He also confessed selling his prescription drugs. He said that Chelsea used a accelerant which was later determined by several police officers that there was no accelerant used. There were emails exchanged between the co-worker and a girlfriend of his that he was going to do everything in his power to lie to send her to prison for turning him in for stealing. There is no evidence against Chelsea other than she was there. There was only one set of footprints in the mud where the crime took place and they were not Chelsea's. There were no physical evidence in the case against her.

Chelsea has appealed to the Supreme Court. The process has started and she has a attorney in Billings, Mt. It costs taxpayers $116.45 a day to house Chelsea, compared to $5.12 a day on probation. When on probation she will be able to pay fines and restitution and be a productive member of society.

In March 2013, Chelsea was found guilty despite no evidence against her except for not acting like a normal person in that situation. She went in front of the Judge and he sentenced her to 10 years with 8 years suspended for accountabilty to arson. And sentenced her to 10 years with 8 years suspended for accountabilty to theft. For both sentences to run at the same time. He also added " The reasons for the sentence that is imposed are that the court sees no reason to punish the defendent with more prison time as she has made progress and this will be a step down sentence that can get her back to a productive and law abiding life ".

My daughter has been in prison for 8 months. She will see the parole board in April 2014. When she goes in front of the board she will have been in prison for 13 months. She has the required programs completed,that she needs to finish before being paroled. She has all of them completed already except for 1. She will be starting the last program in a couple of weeks and will have it completed the first part of the year.

Chelsea has also taken upon herself to particpate in other programs of which she is not required to do. She particpates in the “Prison Paws for Humanity” dog training program . She worked for the Montana Women's Prison Industries doing Custom Embroidery & Garment Printing. She has been offered and accepted a full time dog groomer job. She put in her 2 weeks notice to MCE before going to her new job as a dog groomer. She has succesfully trained 3 dogs. She also particpates in the parenting program. She has monthly visits with her daughter.

Chelsea went in front of two committies which included a member of the parole board and a member of the community along with others. They determined she would be a good fit to leave the prison and go to Billings Pre Release Center. She was there for about 3 weeks.

On December 13, 2013 they went and picked her up and gave no reason why she was taken back to the prison. On December 19, 2013 she was told by her case manager that a investigator was investigating her for alleged felony charges. The investigator told the case manager " He doesnt know if he will ever charge her or what he can charge her with or what county he can do it in" and " Until my investigations is over we will leave you in prison". The parole board said they took her back to prison because they felt like she would be a flight risk with no evidence to back that up. She has never missed a court appearance. She was on bond for 2 years before going to prison and she never missed a court appearance nor did she run. Chelsea is not a flight risk and she never has been. She has ties in Missoula.

Chelseaplans to go to college and obtain a degree, as well as volunteer at the Missoula Food Bank again. While she was in Billings Pre Release Center she had good behavior and clear conduct. She is now a full time groomer and training dogs. I would like the parole board to parole my daughter out to Missoula Pre- Release Center or back to Billings Pre Release or to another pre release center. She will have all the required programs done and more programs that she was not required to complete. She has 2 job offers at local motels, including the one that she was a head housekeeper. She also has a place to live with me when she is paroled. She has the full support of family members and friends while she is in there and upon her release. Chelsea is trying to get back to her 8 year old daughter. She loves her daughter very much! My daughter is not a danger to society and we hope that you agree with me and sign the petition.