The families of two Americans imprisoned in China for more than a decade are hoping President Donald Trump will personally push for their release during this week’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The meeting marks the first time a U.S. president has traveled to China since Trump last visited in 2017. Families of Dawn Michelle Hunt and Nelson Wells Jr. believe the summit may be their best chance yet to finally bring their loved ones home.
Both Americans were arrested in China in 2014 on drug-related charges their families insist were either fabricated or tied to suspicious circumstances. Both have now spent more than 10 years behind bars, and both are dealing with worsening health problems.
Hunt, 53, is being held in Guangdong Women’s Prison after being convicted of smuggling drugs. Her brother, Tim Hunt, says she was set up during what was supposed to be a free promotional trip to Hong Kong she won through a contest.
According to the family, Hunt traveled for several weeks without problems and was preparing to leave for Australia when contest organizers allegedly handed her a purse later found to contain drugs hidden in its lining. Chinese authorities arrested her at the airport. She was later convicted and sentenced to death, though she remains imprisoned.
Her family says her physical condition has steadily declined during her imprisonment. Hunt reportedly suffers from uterine fibroids and fears she may have ovarian cancer. Her brother said she has undergone multiple blood transfusions because of severe bleeding and at one point refused a recommended hysterectomy because she no longer trusted those overseeing her medical care.
Wells, 52, originally from New Orleans, was arrested in May 2014 on what his family describes as questionable drug charges. He was sentenced to life in prison before his sentence was reduced in 2019 to 22 years, meaning he is not expected to be released until 2041.
Before his arrest, Wells had suffered a serious moped accident overseas that caused a head injury and seizures. His family says he traveled to China seeking medical help when authorities accused him of trying to smuggle drugs out of the country. His parents, both longtime Army and Department of Defense veterans, have repeatedly called the charges false.
Wells’ health has also worsened significantly during his imprisonment. His father said he struggles with diabetes, blood pressure problems, depression and ongoing medical complications. Advocates say he is especially isolated because he is the only Black American in his prison and does not speak Chinese.
The families say they have spent years lobbying multiple presidential administrations with little success. But recent prisoner releases involving Americans detained in China have renewed their hope that diplomacy could work.
Advocates working on the cases say Chinese officials may be willing to release Hunt and Wells on humanitarian grounds because of their declining health and the amount of time already served. But they reportedly want to hear a direct request from Trump or Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Now both families are anxiously watching the summit, hoping Trump personally raises their names during talks with Xi.
“I would like President Trump to just look President Xi in the eye and say, ‘Hey, look, there’s Americans here that need to come home,’” Tim Hunt said.
