Former NFL Running Back Granted Early Release From Prison to See Dying 8-Year-Old Daughter
A judge said Mila’s severe illness justified the move, and Smallwood could be released as early as Monday to spend her final days with her.
- On Friday, August 7, Gloucester County Superior Court Judge Renard Scott approved a motion to withdraw Wendell Smallwood's guilty plea, enabling the former NFL running back's early release to visit his terminally ill 8-year-old daughter, Mila.
- Mila was diagnosed with diffuse anaplastic Wilms tumor earlier this year, and doctors reported she may have only days or weeks to live, prompting the family's urgent fight to secure Smallwood's release.
- A 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals ruling found New Jersey's ban on assault weapons unconstitutional, providing the legal grounds to withdraw Smallwood's guilty plea and remove the state sentence running alongside his federal term.
- Smallwood was serving an 18-month federal sentence for a COVID-19-related fraud scheme; his good behavior and participation in rehabilitation programs influenced officials assessing his eligibility for early release.
- Attorney Yaron Helmer confirmed Smallwood could be released as early as Monday, August 17, stating, "This is not just a matter of legal semantics," to underscore the urgency for father and daughter.
40 Articles
40 Articles
NFL's Wendell Smallwood Jr. Gets Early Prison Release Amid 8-Year-Old Daughter's Terminal Cancer Battle
Former Philadelphia Eagles player Wendell Smallwood Jr. was granted an early release from prison following a guilty plea withdrawal, allowing him to spend time with his terminally ill daughter, 8.
Ex-Eagles RB Wendell Smallwood Jr. Set To Be Released From Prison To Be With His Dying 8-year-old Daughter
Former NFL player Wendell Smallwood Jr. is reportedly set to receive an early release from prison so he can spend time with his 8-year-old daughter, who is battling cancer. Smallwood has been incarcerated since 2024. His time behind bars has kept him separated from his family during an already difficult period. Now, his daughter’s condition has reportedly led authorities to allow him to return home for what could be her final days. Wendell Small…
Former NFL Player Wendell Smallwood Granted Early Release From Prison To Be With Dying 8-Year-Old Daughter
Former NFL running back Wendell Smallwood Jr. has been granted a path to early release from prison so he can spend his daughter's final days with her. Smallwood, 32, has been incarcerated since 2024. He was serving an 18-month federal sentence after pleading guilty to fraud linked to COVID-19 relief programmes and tax returns. He was also serving a concurrent three-year New Jersey sentence for unlawful possession of an assault firearm. His situa…
Ex-NFL Star Wendell Smallwood Jr Gets Early Release To Be With Dying 8 Yr Old Daughter, 'Hold Her..'
Former NFL player Wendell Smallwood Jr. has been in the headlines after his early release was approved by a judge on August 7, 2026. Reports began surfacing on August 12, 2026 (ET) that he was being released early due to the health of his 8-year-old daughter. Amid the buzz, let's take a look at what happened. Former NFL running back Wendell Smallwood Jr. gets early release from prison A former NFL player, Wendell Smallwood Jr., who has been inca…
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