In a distressing plea for assistance, the mother of Sharitta Shinese Grier, a Florida woman arrested for carrying ammunition at an airport in the Turks and Caicos Islands, has requested prayers and support for her daughter. Grier is now the fifth American to be detained in TCI for the same offense since February.

Willie Lucas, Grier's mother, expressed her heartbreak at having to leave her daughter behind on the island while returning to their home in Florida. During an interview with FOX 35, Lucas urged people to keep her family in their thoughts and prayers, emphasizing the importance of safety when traveling. She stated, "Be safe when you go out of town. Just be safe. Be careful and keep us in your prayers, 'cause God knows we sure gonna need it."

Following Grier's arrest, she managed to post bail and joined four other Americans in a rental property on the island as they faced an uncertain future. Each of the detainees could potentially be sentenced to up to 12 years in prison for their actions.

Lucas expressed gratitude for the support her daughter has received from fellow detainees, mentioning that watching them come together and show unity brings joy to her heart. Ryan Watson of Oklahoma, Tyler Wenrich of Virginia, Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvania, and Michael Lee Evans of Texas are the other individuals facing similar charges in TCI.

Watson, Hagerich, and Wenrich shared their accounts with Fox News Digital, explaining that they had inadvertently forgotten ammunition in their bags from previous hunting trips. They asserted that there was no intention to bring ammunition into the islands, as they were solely focused on packing board shorts and flip-flops for their vacations.

All five detainees must present their cases before the TCI Superior Court, arguing that they were arrested under "exceptional circumstances." This involves proving their lack of prior criminal records, demonstrating no intent to bring ammunition into the airport, and explaining why a 12-year prison sentence would be excessive in their specific situations. Grier is scheduled to appear before a judge on July 5.

As the legal process unfolds, the families of the detainees hope for a just outcome and are relying on the support of the community to provide solace during this trying time.