Help Bring My Son Home – Legal Defense & Appeal Fund

My name is Melissa Cuahutenco, and I am a mother asking for help during the hardest season of my life.

My son is currently incarcerated after an incident where he was fighting for his life. What began as a confrontation turned into violence when others were looking for trouble, and my son acted in self-defense. I am beyond grateful that he is still alive, and that no lives were lost—but our family has been forever changed.

Despite the circumstances, my son was sentenced to 3 years, with up to 8 years possible. Hearing that sentence was devastating. All I could do in that moment was thank God for sparing his life and the lives of everyone involved.

My son is a good young man. He is a father to a beautiful 1-year-old son who needs him. He is deeply loved and missed by his siblings, our family, and by me every single day. Watching my grandbaby grow up without his father breaks my heart.

Unfortunately, I do not currently have the financial means to hire an attorney to properly appeal this case. These funds will go directly toward:

    •    Hiring a qualified attorney

    •    Legal fees related to filing an appeal

    •    Giving my son a fair chance to have his self-defense case fully reviewed

I believe in my son. I believe the truth matters. And I believe he deserves the opportunity to come home and be the father his child needs.

If you are able to donate, share, or pray for our family, we are deeply grateful. Every contribution—no matter the size—brings us one step closer to justice and to bringing my son home.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story, and thank you for standing with a mother who refuses to give up on her child.

With love and gratitude,

Melissa Cuahutenco