In an unusual turn of events, a man and woman, both incarcerated in Florida and facing murder charges, have managed to conceive a child without ever physically meeting. Daisy Link, 29, and Joan Depaz, 23, developed a unique relationship while in prison, communicating through the air conditioning vents in their cells.
Link, who is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly killing her husband in 2022, and Depaz, arrested in 2020 and facing charges of first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, battery, and criminal mischief, found solace in their shared circumstances. They spent hours talking through the vents, passing notes and pictures, and eventually developing a romantic relationship.
Depaz, who had always dreamed of becoming a father, was facing a lengthy prison sentence. He shared his dream with Link, who agreed to help him realize it. Depaz then devised a plan, inspired by a method a friend had shown him, to impregnate Link through the vents.
Depaz explained that the vents were L-shaped and anything dropped from Link’s cell would land directly in his. They established a line using bedding material, which they used to pass items between their cells. Depaz would place his semen in plastic wrap and attach it to the line, which Link would then pull through to her cell. She would then use a yeast infection applicator to administer it.
Despite the unconventional method, Link became pregnant after a few attempts. She described the experience as exciting and ecstatic. Dr. Fernando Akerman, a fertility specialist and the medical director of the Fertility Center of Miami, confirmed that it is possible to conceive in this way, although the chances are less than 5%.
On June 19, Link gave birth to a baby at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. The baby is now living with Depaz’s mother. DNA results have confirmed that Depaz is the father. Both Link and Depaz expressed joy and disbelief at the success of their plan, with Link referring to their daughter as a “miracle baby” and a “blessing.”
The pair are currently being held in separate jails while they await their trials. Depaz is at the Metro West Detention Center, while Link is at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. They continue to communicate over the phone and see their daughter during video visits.
The Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department has initiated an internal affairs investigation to determine how this could have happened without the knowledge of the authorities.