The sentencing of Dequan Yearwood to just two years in prison for the unlawful sexual intercourse of a 14-year-old girl with a learning disability has sparked a firestorm of concern among disability advocates, legal experts, and the wider public. The offense, which took place in January 2022, involved a vulnerable minor who was found in Yearwood’s apartment by someone who had gone looking for her. When Yearwood finally opened the door, the girl was reportedly adjusting her clothing. The young teen, developmentally delayed by three years, later confirmed to her mother what had happened after her siblings were overheard discussing the situation. The case made its way to the High Court, where a jury found Yearwood guilty in November 2024. However, despite the offense carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years, Yearwood received a mere two-year sentence.
For many, the outcome is devastating—not just for the victim and her family, but for the credibility of the judicial system itself. Joshuanette Francis, founder of Good Humans 268 Inc., stood outside the courthouse to peacefully voice what many were thinking: “I’m not protesting, but I want to make a statement that two years is not enough. She has a learning disability. She cannot comprehend it properly, and he only gets two years.” Francis pointed to the Disability and Equal Opportunities Act of 2017, saying that while laws exist on paper, their enforcement is often lacking, especially when the victims are people with disabilities. “We passed a law for inclusion and protection, yet we continue to fail the very people it was meant to defend,” she said.
Sexual violence against individuals with disabilities is often underreported, misunderstood, and undervalued in the courts. The 14-year-old victim in this case, like many others, had limited ability to advocate for herself. Without a supportive family and investigative follow-through, her case may never have reached trial at all. A quote by disability rights advocate Kathie Snow resonates deeply: “Disability is natural. We must stop believing that disabilities keep a person from doing something. Because that’s not true… having a disability doesn’t mean you can’t be believed.”
Francis’s peaceful demonstration has ignited public interest in the rights of disabled victims. Legal advocates are calling for: Mandatory sentencing reviews in cases involving vulnerable persons. Special provisions in criminal law to account for intellectual disabilities. Expanded training for judges and prosecutors on disability rights.
Public pressure is building. The sentiment is widespread: this case cannot become just another headline. It must serve as a turning point for how the justice system handles crimes against vulnerable populations. “I stood for her,” Francis said. “And I will keep standing until this country starts treating its disabled citizens like they matter. Because they do.”
Joshuanette Francis
Founder and President, Good Humans 268 Inc.
