Full Breakdown
Former NFL Running Back Granted Early Release to Be With Dying Daughter
8/13/2026, 12:12:47 PM
Court Decision Allows Early Release
On August 7, Gloucester County Superior Court Judge Renard Scott approved a motion to withdraw Wendell Smallwood Jr.’s guilty plea from the previous year. The judge ruled that the severe illness of Smallwood’s daughter constituted a significant reason for granting the motion, opening the possibility that Smallwood could be released from custody within days of the hearing.
Legal Background and Recent Appeals Ruling
Smallwood, a former running back for the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Pittsburgh Steelers and other teams, pleaded guilty in December 2024 to felony wire fraud, conspiracy and tax fraud tied to COVID-19 economic-relief programs. He was sentenced in September 2025 to 18 months in federal prison. In March, he pleaded guilty to second-degree unlawful possession of an assault firearm for possessing an AR-15 rifle in New Jersey, a state that at the time prohibited assault weapons. He received a concurrent three-year state sentence with a requirement to serve at least one year.
A July ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit struck down New Jersey’s assault-weapon ban as unconstitutional. That decision gave Smallwood legal grounds to withdraw his state-level guilty plea, which the August 7 hearing addressed.
Daughter’s Illness
According to The News Journal, Smallwood’s eight-year-old daughter, Mila, was diagnosed in 2026 with diffuse anaplastic Wilms tumor, a rare and aggressive childhood kidney cancer. After chemotherapy proved ineffective, she entered palliative care. Doctors told the family that she has only days or weeks remaining.
Data & Statistics
- Age of Smallwood: 32 years / 33 years – both sources identify him as early-30s.
- Federal sentence: 18 months (sentenced September 2025).
- State sentence: 3 years concurrent, with a minimum of one year served.
- Daughter’s age: 8 years.
- Diagnosis year: 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
“This is an illness that is untreatable,” — Renard Scott, superior court judge
Smallwood’s attorney, Yaron Helmer, described the situation as more than a legal issue, noting, “It’s about whether his daughter will hold her dad again.” “It’s about whether his daughter will hold her dad again.” — Yaron Helmer
Smallwood’s wife, Autumn, expressed gratitude for the ruling and asked the public to keep Mila in prayers.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the earliest possible release date. USA Today reported that Smallwood could be released “as soon as Aug. Both dates fall after the August 7 decision, but the exact timing remains unclear. No source provided a definitive release schedule beyond the judge’s approval.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is an illness that is untreatable,” — Renard Scott, superior court judge “This is an illness that is untreatable,” — Renard Scott, superior court judge
- “It’s about whether his daughter will hold her dad again.” — Yaron Helmer, attorney “It’s about whether his daughter will hold her dad again.” — Yaron Helmer
