It is heart breaking to see Sarah saying, “This means that I am going to die in prison!”. U.S is one of few countries where juveniles can be tried in a court of law and can be sentenced to life in prison. The number of children who were sentenced to life in U.S is staggering 2270.

Sarah Kruzan spent a very unfortunate childhood with her drug addicted mother in Riverside California. Sarah’s mother was not only addicted to drugs but also abusive. It is hard to imagine the life of a child in these circumstances. The situation also determines what Sarah did. It is only natural for a child in such conditions to seek protection outside of his or her home and the sad fact is that predators are all around looking for such children. As the fate would have it, Sarah met a man named G.G when she was 11. G.G became a pseudo father for Sarah. He would give her things to play with and would take her for rides. As Sarah turned 13, it was pay back time. G.G put Sarah up for prostitution. Sarah’s work would start at 6.00 in the evening and would work till 5.30 or 6.00 in the morning.

It is not difficult to think of hell in which Sarah was forced to live. After 3 years of life as a prostitute Sarah had enough of it. She killed G.G, her pimp. Judge sentenced Sarah for a life in prison without giving a consideration to the background and the hell of life she was forced to live.

Public campaign to get Sarah a judicious treatment is in place. Humanitarian organizations are doing their best for a fair treatment for Juveniles like Sarah.

Sarah Kruzan