In response to the death of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins, a member of the Prisoner Review Board (PRB) in Illinois has resigned from her post. The resignation comes after public outrage surrounding the tragic incident, in which Perkins was allegedly killed by a man who had been released on parole just one day earlier.

Governor JB Pritzker announced the resignation of LeAnn Miller, stating that she had been closely involved in the decision to release the suspect charged in the case, Crosetti Brand. Pritzker recognized Miller's decision to step down as appropriate, emphasizing the need for the PRB to operate independently in reviewing challenging cases. However, he also acknowledged that the evidence in this specific case was not given the careful consideration that victims of domestic violence deserve.

Pritzker expressed his commitment to implementing additional safeguards and training to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. He expressed his sympathies to Laterria Smith, who was injured in the incident, and the entire family of Jayden Perkins, offering condolences for their devastating loss.

LeAnn Miller conducted Brand's parole hearing and prepared the draft order recommending his release on parole. Brand, who had a history of domestic violence, was arrested on charges related to stabbing his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Laterria Smith, and killing her young son, Jayden Perkins.

Perkins's untimely death has sparked an outpouring of support for the family and raised concerns about the parole system's effectiveness and the safety of victims of domestic violence. Brand had been released on parole once before and Smith had been informed about his release, as she had been a victim in previous domestic violence incidents involving him.

Reports suggest that Brand had been in contact with Smith, leading her to notify state parole officials about his actions. Brand acknowledged going to her residence when confronted by a commander from the Illinois Department of Corrections, but claimed he was merely "looking for an apartment." As a result, Brand was ordered to return to prison while the PRB investigated the new allegations against him.

Despite the new allegations, the PRB determined that they did not meet the preponderance of evidence standard to prevent Brand's release. He was ultimately released on parole on March 12th. Moreover, Smith had previously sought an emergency protection order for herself and her family, but the judge denied it, citing the lack of an apparent emergency due to Brand's incarceration at the time.

Governor Pritzker has directed both the PRB and the Illinois Department of Corrections to review procedures for obtaining information in domestic violence cases and determine if changes are necessary. He has also mandated expanded training for PRB members to better handle cases involving domestic violence, involving collaboration with experts and advocates.

As the administration continues to investigate this case, potential broader statutory or policy changes may be pursued to strengthen the PRB's review process for similar cases in the future. Governor Pritzker's aim is to ensure that victims of domestic violence receive the comprehensive consideration and protection they deserve.

The tragic death of Jayden Perkins serves as a distressing reminder of the urgent need for improvements in the parole system and measures to safeguard victims of domestic violence.