Exhibit C - Letter from Jill Schwerin, Marriage and Family Therapist (Document 84-3)

Summary

Exhibit C, Document 84-3 in Case 5:24-cr-00292-PCP, filed August 27, 2025, is a letter dated April 7, 2025 to the judge from Jill Schwerin, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, regarding USA vs Will-Darnall. The letter states that she has worked with Cassie Will-Darnall for the past five years in individual, couples, and family therapy, and describes anxiety that began with the closure of a business during the COVID-19 pandemic. It gives a professional opinion that continued access to mental health care is essential and asks the judge to consider a sentence that allows therapy to continue. The letter closes with the name Jill Schwerin and Dakinis Family Therapy.

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Case 5:24-cr-00292-PCP   Document 84-3   Filed 08/27/25   Page 1 of 3




            Exhibit C
      Case 5:24-cr-00292-PCP           Document 84-3        Filed 08/27/25    Page 2 of 3




Jill Schwerin LMFT 113754
15810 Los Gatos Blvd
Los Gatos, Ca 95032
jillschwerin.mft@gmail.com
408-769-1923
4/7/25


United States District Court for Northern District Court of California
280 South. 1st Street, Room 6
San Jose, Ca.
Re: Cassie Will Darnall, USA vs Will-Darnall 5-24-cr-00292-PCP

Dear Judge,

My name is Jill Schwerin, and I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I have had the
privilege of working with Cassie Will-Darnall for the past five years in individual, couples, and
family therapy. I am writing to provide insight into Ms. Will-Darnall's mental health challenges
and progress, as well as to respectfully request leniency in their case to allow them to continue
receiving the care they need.

When Ms. Will-Darnall first came to therapy, she was experiencing extreme stress and high
anxiety due to the closure of her business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many
entrepreneurs, she faced significant financial uncertainty and emotional distress as her
livelihood was abruptly disrupted. This period of upheaval triggered severe anxiety symptoms
that included difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, and feelings of helplessness. Over
time, these symptoms compounded due to additional stressors in her personal life.

Despite these challenges, Ms. Will-Darnall has shown remarkable resilience and dedication to
improving her mental health. Through therapy, she has worked on managing her anxiety using
evidence-based techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices,
and stress management strategies. She has also made significant progress in rebuilding her life
post-pandemic by focusing on her roles as a devoted mother to her 11-year-old son (with
whom she shares 50% custody), a caregiver for her 85-year-old mother, and a hardworking
teacher and small business owner who contributes meaningfully to her community.
It is important to note that Ms. Will-Darnall’s mental health journey remains ongoing. Her
anxiety is compounded by medical trauma stemming from a near-death experience due to
complications from sepsis. This trauma has further underscored the importance of consistent
therapeutic support for both her mental health recovery and her ability to manage daily
responsibilities effectively. Additionally, her son is currently struggling with anxiety and
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which places further emotional demands on her as she
provides him with care and support.
       Case 5:24-cr-00292-PCP           Document 84-3         Filed 08/27/25      Page 3 of 3




Given these circumstances, it is my professional opinion that continued access to mental health
care is essential for Ms. Will-Darnall's ongoing recovery and ability to fulfill her vital roles within
her family and community. Interrupting this care at such a crucial stage could jeopardize the
progress she has made in managing her anxiety and trauma while negatively impacting those
who depend on her care. A sentence that allows her to remain engaged in therapy would not
only support her rehabilitation but also enable her to continue providing stability for her son
and elderly mother while contributing positively to society.

I respectfully ask Your Honor to consider these factors when determining an appropriate
sentence for Ms. Will-Darnall. If additional information or documentation regarding my work
with Ms. Will-Darnall would be helpful, please do not hesitate to contact me at 408-769-1923
15810 Los Gatos Blvd. Los Gatos, Ca 95032. Thank you for your time and thoughtful
consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,
Jill Schwerin
LMFT 113754
Dakinis Family Therapy


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