ABIGAIL YOUNG UP FOR PAROLE AGAIN IN DAUGHTER’S DEATH

  

A Brenham woman serving 20 years in prison in the death of her four-year-old daughter is again up for parole consideration.

Abigail Young was sentenced in 2010 for Injury to a Child by Omission after the death of Emma Thompson in June 2009.  Young's boyfriend, Lucas Coe, was sentenced to life in prison.

Young was found guilty of hiding what happened to her daughter from others, including family members and medical authorities.

Amanda Mathews, Young’s sister and Thompson’s aunt, does not feel that Young has shown remorse for her actions, and believes without remorse, there can be no rehabilitation.

 

In 2013, Emma’s Law was passed, ensuring that parole review for anyone convicted of a felony against a child would come up every five years instead of annually.  However, since Young has served half her sentence, she is eligible for yearly reviews.  If paroled, she would parole out to the Washington County area.

Last year, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied Young parole based on the nature of the offense, while also stating Young’s good conduct time is not reflective of her potential for rehabilitation and that her release would “endanger the public.”  Mathews believes those reasons for denial are still valid.

 

Mathews said she had hoped to come before legislators this session to reword Emma’s Law to prevent annual review, but that has not been possible thus far due to COVID-19.

Online records from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) say Young’s next parole review date will come in June.  Mathews says anyone is able to contact the parole board prior to the parole hearings by emailing victim.svc@tdcj.texas.gov.

All letters/emails must include the following:

YOUNG, ABIGAIL ELIZABETH

SID #: 08428403

TDCJ #: 01668233

TO: Texas Department of Pardons and Paroles