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This article is based on a sit down interview and separate one on one conversations with members of the Odynski family. If you have not had a chance to watch the interview with Corey Odynski, you can watch that interview here: Exclusive Interview: Corey Odynski, Father of Alleged Bridge Link Program Escapee, Shares His Side of the Story with Henry Davis Jr.
Redress South Bend—In a troubling turn of events, Cyjarron Odynski, known as CJ, has gone from facing a 120-day sentence at the Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) to potentially spending 91 years behind bars. This drastic escalation underscores serious concerns about the handling of his case, specifically regarding the decisions made by Probate Court Judge Jason Cichowicz and the efficacy of his Bridge Link Program.
A Systemic Oversight
Originally sentenced to 120 days at the Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) for failing a drug test while on probation, CJ was ostensibly placed into Jason Cichowicz's Bridge Link Program, a program branded to rehabilitate young offenders. However, as recounted by his father, Corey Odynski, there were critical missteps right from the start. "If the transcripts can be brought up from court, they will see that every time we went to court, I voiced, he has mental issues," said Corey. The reduction of CJ's medication—from 100 milligrams to a mere five milligrams—was a stark indicator of the systemic oversight at play. Corey shared: "You can't take a kid from 100 milligrams of medicine and give him five milligrams."
Despite being diagnosed with a range of mental health issues, including OCD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and numerous other conditions, CJ was thrust into a program ill-suited to his needs. "I expressed to them, my son has an IEP. If he can't make it in high school where they have people helping him, he's not gonna make (finish high school) here," Corey stated, emphasizing the futility of expecting CJ to finish his education while he was in an unsupported environment.
Ignoring the Red Flags
Corey had warned authorities that CJ was a flight risk. On the day of the court hearing, CJ attempted to leave the courthouse, only to be brought back from the front door. "We wanted them to know that he was a flight risk. The day of court, he actually wanted to leave and they had to bring him back from the front door. His mother told him that, you know, he might escape. He told him he might escape. I mean, if I'm warning you, why would you let me out? You know, it's kind of like they gave him an avenue to get out." Corey recalled, highlighting the predictability of CJ’s actions and the negligence in ignoring these warnings. Indeed, CJ was accused of absconding during a supervised outing to a baseball game, and allegedly using someone else’s cellphone to orchestrate his departure. The sequence of events culminated in a tragic incident four days later on July 30, when CJ was allegedly involved in the shooting of Isaiah Walton-Davis, a friend of CJ's.
The Role of Judge Jason Cichowicz
Judge Cichowicz played a pivotal role in CJ’s trajectory, endorsing the Bridge Link Program despite clear contraindications for someone with CJ’s mental health profile. The decision to keep CJ within the juvenile system, even as he turned 18, further compounded the issues. "Why are you still running him through a juvenile system at 18 instead of saying, you know what, this is a bigger problem than us?" Corey questioned, underscoring the need for judicial discretion and appropriate intervention.
A Call for Accountability
CJ’s case is a harrowing reminder of the failures within the justice system to adequately address the needs of individuals with mental health challenges. It is a call to action for reforms that prioritize proper assessment and care over blanket punitive measures. With CJ now facing up to 91 years in prison, the implications of these institutional oversights are devastatingly clear.
In light of these revelations, there is mounting pressure for Judge Cichowicz not to be re-elected—a move aimed at holding accountable those who wield influence over such critical decisions. The need for transparent, compassionate, and informed judicial practices has never been more urgent.
This article is based on a sit down interview and separate one on one conversations with members of the Odynski family. If you have not had a chance to watch the interview with Corey Odynski, you can watch that interview here: Exclusive Interview: Corey Odynski, Father of Alleged Bridge Link Program Escapee, Shares His Side of the Story with Henry Davis Jr.