A Michigan woman, aged 55, is facing charges of manslaughter following the death of her 11-year-old adopted daughter. Sherry Leak was arrested over the weekend after allegedly causing the death of the child, Mialah Leak, by sitting on her until she became unconscious. The incident was reported by the Fruitport Township Police Department.
The police were called to a residence in the Clover Estates Mobile Home Park, located approximately 190 miles northwest of Detroit, in response to reports of an unresponsive young girl. Upon arrival, first responders found Mialah unconscious and not breathing. Despite attempts by emergency medical personnel to resuscitate her, the girl was pronounced dead at the scene.
The police took the child’s mother into custody at the scene. Further details were not immediately available as the decision on charges was pending from the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office. Deputy Police Chief Gregory Poulson shared some information about the 911 call, which was made by Leak herself.
Poulson revealed that initial reports suggested a physical altercation between the mother and daughter, possibly involving the mother attempting to restrain the child. He confirmed that the police were working closely with the prosecutor’s office and that an autopsy had been conducted on the deceased child.
During Leak’s arraignment in Muskegon County District Court on Tuesday, prosecutors provided a more detailed account of the allegations against her. Chief Trial Attorney Matt Roberts stated that the evidence pointed to Leak as the responsible party for the child’s death, based on her own admission of sitting on the child.
Roberts also mentioned that the results of Mialah’s autopsy were still pending. Following Leak’s arrest, Child Protective Services initiated a petition to revoke Leak’s parental rights to Mialah’s twin sister, who was reportedly hospitalized after Mialah’s death.
Leak is currently being held in the Muskegon County Jail with a bond set at $100,000. She has been appointed a public defender and is scheduled to appear in court again on Dec. 9 for a probable cause conference.
A neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, told local media that Leak had adopted the twins when they were very young. The neighbor described a turbulent relationship between Leak and Mialah, stating that they often fought and that there were things they had seen and heard that were concerning.