Death Penalty News

For people with loved ones on death row, the grief and shame they experience are unique and isolating Tynecia Estrada cherished her childhood summers with her father in Atlanta. She has joyful memories of him picking her up from camp to spend a fun-filled day together at Six Flags White Water. But in August 1989, their summer tradition was abruptly interrupted when he was arrested and charged with capital murder.

Children of family members who have been sentenced to death or executed are among the most hidden trauma victims of capital punishment. To help address their unique mental health needs, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), an organization dedicated “to rais[ing] the standard of care and improv[ing] access to services for traumatized children, their families and communities throughout the United States,” has released a new treatment resource that offers guidance to professionals who work with children affected by the death penalty. The mental health guide, Children Who Are Impacted by a Family Member’s Death Sentence or Execution: Information for Mental Health Professionals , was produced in association with Clinical & Support Options Inc. and the Texas After Violence Project and was released in December 2021. It provides assistance to mental health investigators and providers in identifying issues faced by children whose parent or other family member are on death ro...