The story first hit the press almost a year ago when Peyton Pruitt, a Pell City native, was accused of being in contact with the terrorist group, ISIS at his school, The Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind (AIDB). He didn’t attend AIDB because he’s deaf or blind though, he went there because he is severely autistic. 

According to Peyton’s father, Tony Pruitt, Peyton was arrested 10 months ago, on November 13, 2015 for supporting terrorism with less than $1,000. Peyton was written up a couple times at the school for watching videos on ISIS and visiting the RT America website. 

Pruitt said he was never notified of the incident with ISIS, but that the FBI in Gadsden was called. Once arrested, they called Pruitt and informed him of the situation. 

“They were coming at an angle from ‘nobody’s in trouble, we just need some clarification’,” Pruit explained. 

But before Pruitt could appropriately rally professional help, they arrested Peyton and bond was set for $1 million. He’s been in the St. Clair County jail since then and tests have been done to judge Peyton’s mental capabilities. 

It was found that he only functions at an 8 year old level — he didn’t even know what an attorney was. 

On Sept. 8, Peyton was ruled not guilty due to mental defect. But the court still isn’t allowing him to go home.

“The VA and judge decided that it’s been two months since he’s been checked so they ordered another [competency] exam this Thursday. Then October 8, we go back to court to decide whether Peyton gets to come back home or has to go to a mental facility,” Pruitt said. 

And, according to Pruitt, a mental facility could be worse than jail for Peyton. 

“If he goes to the psych ward, he’s the only one who loses,” he said. 

Getting to come home, however, would be the ultimate best case scenario for the family. They have services such as special education and speech therapy, among other things, set up for Peyton through the St. Clair County Board of Education if the court rules that he can come home. He’s getting these services currently in jail but he needs to continue to get them, something Pruitt doesn’t believe will happen if he gets transferred to a mental institution.

“To watch my son… I know his brain and how it functions, he’s been tested many times since he was 5 years old. I know his abilities and disabilities. I know how he functions,” Pruitt said. “I want to see him come home to his family where he belongs.”

There will be another hearing on Oct. 8 to ultimately decide Peyton’s fate. In the mean time, a Facebook page called I am Peyton has been set up and a petition is circulating to support his release. There have currently been over 1,000 signatures. 

On Tuesday, Sept. 27, there was a rally in Pell City to release Peyton and let him go home. Dozens gathered in front of the St. Clair County Courthouse in support of his release. Pell City Mayor Joe Funderburg was among the crowd of protesters pleading for Pruitt’s release. 

All of the family and friends rallied together to spread their message — Peyton needs to be released.