Skylar Jones’s family is making appeals for intervention after she was imprisoned in the Cayman Islands for disregarding quarantine regulations and endangering public health. To date, COVID-19 has claimed over 1.7 million lives globally. It’s a highly transmissible and perilous virus, and the most effective way to protect the population is to prevent its spread through measures like wearing masks and practicing social distancing. As a result, many regions have implemented strict quarantine protocols for travelers.
Skylar, an 18-year-old from Georgia, traveled to the Cayman Islands in late November to see her boyfriend, Liam Carter, who was participating in a jet ski competition. Upon her arrival, she agreed to a mandatory 14-day quarantine and was equipped with a geofencing bracelet and a mobile phone to monitor her movements.
However, just two days into her quarantine, Skylar removed her bracelet and left her isolation to attend her boyfriend’s event. Reports indicate that she spent over seven hours at the event, mingling with crowds without wearing a mask.
Both Skylar and Liam were arrested and pled guilty to violating quarantine regulations, resulting in a fine of $2,600 each. The public prosecutor, however, contended that this penalty was insufficient to deter future violations. He presented evidence suggesting that Skylar’s actions were premeditated, claiming she had switched her wristband to a looser one the day prior to her departure from quarantine. He characterized her behavior as “selfish and arrogant,” adding that Liam, being a local, should have been more aware of the situation.
In the Cayman Islands, violations of quarantine laws can incur fines of up to $10,000 or even two years of imprisonment. Eventually, Skylar received a four-month sentence.
Now, her family is fighting against the ruling. Despite their daughter being an adult who intentionally broke international law, they are seeking to mitigate her punishment, even reaching out to former President Trump for assistance. Their attorney, Mark Thompson, plans to appeal for a more lenient sentence, citing that “this particular sentence could have a disproportionately harsh impact on her, and the court should have taken her individual circumstances into account, not just the offense.”
“She is upset and wants to return home,” Skylar’s grandmother, Mary, shared with reporters. “She acknowledges her mistake and takes responsibility, but she’s quite distraught at present.” Mary has personally written to Trump in defense of Skylar, stating, “We’re not asking for her to be treated as an exception; we’re asking for her not to be the exception.”
Skylar’s father, Ron Jones, expressed his confusion over the harsh treatment of his daughter, pointing out, “It’s heartbreaking that someone is taking this so personally against an American teenager who made a mistake while on vacation. She’s a special person, and this situation is tearing her life apart.”
While a four-month sentence is significant, it’s not a life sentence. Given the risks her actions posed to public health, and the law’s provision for up to two years in prison, her sentence could be considered relatively lenient. Hopefully, Skylar’s experience will serve as a cautionary tale for others considering flouting quarantine regulations.
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In summary, Skylar Jones, a U.S. student, received a four-month jail sentence for intentionally violating quarantine rules in the Cayman Islands, prompting her family to seek leniency and intervention from higher authorities. While they argue against the severity of the punishment, the broader implications of her actions underline the necessity of adhering to public health regulations.