They Put Policy in Front of American Citizens' Lives': Kayla Mueller's Dad Speaks Out on Ransoms

They wanted to save their daughter — but American policy kept a major avenue closed.

Kayla Mueller, the 26-year-old American who died as a captive of the Islamic State, wrote before her death of how she was sustained by her deep Christian faith — but while she may have "surrendered" to her tragic fate, her family has been left wishing more could have been done to save her.

In this May 30, 2013, photo, Kayla Mueller is shown after speaking to a group in Prescott, Ariz. (AP Photo/The Daily Courier, Jo. L. Keener)

Mueller's father told NBC News on Sunday that the American government's ransom policy blocked efforts to free his daughter.

"We understand the policy about not paying ransom," he said. "But on the other hand, any parents out there would understand that you would want anything and everything done to bring your child home. And we tried. And we asked. But they put policy in front of American citizens' lives."

Watch the somber moment below:

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