He was in his cell, waiting to be executed, and he asked as a last

79 U.S. Children Face Life Without Parole, Prompting Outrage

At least 79 children under 14 are serving life without parole in the U.S., sparking global concern. Many come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and some weren’t the main offenders.

One well-known case is Lionel Tate, sentenced at 12 after a fatal play incident, which ignited debate on punishing minors as adults.

Though the Supreme Court banned mandatory life sentences for kids in 2012, many cases remain untouched. Advocates urge reform, insisting every child deserves a chance at redemption.