A 23-year-old British woman, Mia O’Brien, is serving a 25-year prison sentence in Dubai after being allegedly caught with 50 grams of cocaine. Her devastated mother, Dannielle McKenna, described it as a “very stupid mistake.”

Mia is only 23 years old and has never done a bad thing in her life, her mom said. The Liverpool law student had gone to visit friends but became entangled in a situation that changed her life forever.
She is appealing her case and hopes to serve her sentence closer to home. “She just wants to come home. I want her home too — she’s my only daughter,” McKenna shared. Mia has also told her family how much she misses her two younger brothers.

The British government has confirmed it is supporting the family. This case has left many asking: should one mistake cost someone their entire future?