Wendell Smallwood Jr., a former Super Bowl champion running back, has been granted an early release from prison to be with his 8-year-old daughter, Mila, who is terminally ill with cancer. Gloucester County Superior Court Judge Renard Scott approved the motion on August 7, citing the gravity of the situation.
Smallwood, 32, had been imprisoned since 2024 after pleading guilty to federal fraud charges related to COVID-19 relief programs and state charges for illegal possession of an AR-15 rifle. He was serving an 18-month sentence for the fraud charges and a concurrent state sentence.
Mila was diagnosed with diffuse anaplastic Wilms tumor, a rare and aggressive form of childhood kidney cancer, earlier this year. Doctors have indicated she has only days or weeks to live and is currently receiving palliative care. Her chemotherapy treatments have been unsuccessful.
Judge Scott stated that Smallwood is not considered a danger to the community and acknowledged the firearm possession was a "poor judgment call," as the rifle was legally purchased in Pennsylvania but illegally possessed in New Jersey. Smallwood was reportedly about three months away from qualifying for full parole.
Smallwood's attorney, Yaron Helmer, emphasized the profound reason for the release request, stating, "I can’t think of a stronger reason than to be with his dying daughter." Helmer noted that Smallwood could be released as early as August 17.
Smallwood's wife, Autumn, expressed gratitude for the judge's decision and shared her family's experience in an email to the Delaware News Journal. "We felt the support from so many people, and we are truly grateful," she wrote. "We are grateful for this step forward, but our biggest fight is still Mila’s. Please continue to keep her in your prayers as she continues to fight."
Smallwood, a fifth-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2016 NFL Draft, won Super Bowl LII with the team in 2018. He also had stints with the Washington Commanders and Pittsburgh Steelers.