Mother's Disguise Helps Convicted Son, Robert Yancy Jr. Escape Prison, but Freedom is Short-Lived


A Texas mom pulled off a daring move this week, allegedly helping her son escape prison, but their freedom sprint didn't last long. Leonor Priestle, a former prison guard herself, is accused of smuggling a disguise into the Clemens Unit to help her son, Robert Yancy Jr., break free. 

Yancy, serving a life sentence for child sexual assault, vanished Sunday but was caught the next day by two sharp-eyed civilians. Now, he faces additional charges for escaping, while Priestle and her boyfriend, Russell Williams, who allegedly helped with the getaway, are in jail facing escape-related charges too.

Details are still emerging, but authorities say Priestle snuck her son a black sweater during a visit, allowing him to blend in and walk out unnoticed. They reportedly hopped into a white Nissan Versa and hit the road, but their plan came undone quickly.

This isn't the first time Yancy has made headlines. As a former high school football star, his fall from grace and life sentence shocked many. Priestle, too, had a past connection to the prison system, working as a guard for a brief period. What motivated her risky move, and how exactly they pulled it off, remains under investigation.

While Yancy faces another round of justice, his mother's actions raise disturbing questions about security breaches and the lengths families will go to for loved ones, even those convicted of heinous crimes.
 

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