Help Us Bring Our Boy Home

Hi my name is Algina Butterfield and I am the mother of DeAndré.

I would like to start by saying that me sharing this with you shows how much I need your support. I am a very private person and have always been a woman of considerable strength, but this is one journey that I truly cannot take on my own.

Earlier this year my son was offered the opportunity to take a trip of a lifetime an all expenses trip paid to Morocco with someone he considered to be a good friend/brother.

Since moving to the UK my son has not been out of the country and was excited for the opportunity to see another part of the world. When the day came for my son to depart for Morocco his good friend/brother told my son he was unable to travel but instead my son should go enjoy himself because everything had already been paid for. My son had seen other medians in the airport travelling and happily departed to Morocco.

While there he had a great time but sadly the trip did not end well. When departing my son was arrested and accused of transporting drugs out of the country. After they searched his bags they did discover drugs however my son has maintained his innocence and says he did not put them there.

The Moroccan judicial system is unlike the British judicial system and my son was automatically found guilty without a proper trial and sentenced to 3 years behind bars when he appeared in court, a court that was spoken only in Arabic without an English interpreter. Maintaining his innocence he made an appeal which made no difference, and his sentence was increased to 3 years.

My son does not speak the language (Arabic) there, he does not know anyone there, has no family close enough to visit, and the experience is affecting his mental well-being. When I speak with him he is concerned about his health and afraid for his safety. He needs medical attention which isn’t being addressed and is in constant pain daily. He is doing his best to maintain his faith and sanity.

I sought help from the British Consulate who told me they do not intercede in the legal proceedings in Morocco, instead they can assist in getting him, transferred to a British prison to serve out his sentence. To do this I must raise £5,000 to pay the Moroccan Customs for the release of my son. If I cannot pay they will increase my son’s sentence by another year.

I accept that some may think my son is guilty but at this point if he has to serve time I would prefer he do it on British soil in humane conditions where he will be safe and secure and get the medical attention he needs.

I am asking you to help us raise these funds as they are due by the 28th of November 2024. If they do not receive the money by then my son will have his sentence increased and serve his sentence in deplorable conditions.

I have exhausted all avenues to raise this money, and this is my last resort. No amount is too small. I as well as my kids will be and are grateful for anything that you can do to help us, thank you.

UPDATE

Today I received a message from a close family friend who asked about the balance of the GoFundMe. Upon telling them the balance they transferred it to my bank account. Once GoFundMe releases the funds donated we have reached our goal! I would like to thank all who have donated my kids and I are very grateful and thankful that you have supported us in this difficult situation. As soon as GoFundMe releases the funds donated they will be sent by bank transfer to Morocco to pay for his transfer. Again I thank you all I am forever grateful!