A 55-year-old mother from Michigan is accused of killing her 11-year-old adoptive daughter by reportedly sitting on her until she lost consciousness and died.
Sherry Leak was arrested over the weekend and charged with one count of manslaughter in the death of Mialah Leak, authorities said.
According to a news statement from the Fruitport Township Police Department, officers rushed to a home in the Clover Estates Mobile Home Park after receiving a report of an unresponsive 11-year-old girl. The mobile home park is approximately 190 miles northwest of Detroit.
When first responders arrived to the home, they reported finding the youngster, later identified as Mialah, who was unconscious and not breathing. Emergency professionals attempted to resuscitate the girl but were unsuccessful. Police stated they took the victim’s mother into custody at the scene, but could not disclose any other information because the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office needed to make a decision on pending charges.
Deputy Police Chief Gregory Poulson gave the Grand Haven Tribune newspaper with additional information about the 911 call made by Leak.
“Initial reports were that there might have been a physical altercation between the daughter and mother, even in regards to the mother trying to restrain the daughter,” according to what he told the newspaper. “We have been in frequent contact with our prosecutor’s office and have received some direction from them. Unfortunately, the 11-year-old did pass away, and an autopsy was performed today. “Our detectives are still investigating this incident.”
Prosecutors gave a more thorough overview of the claims against Leak during her arraignment in Muskegon County District Court on Tuesday morning, detailing how Mialah allegedly died.
“This is clearly a very severe matter, as the Court is aware, and it involves the death of the little child in this case. According to Grand Rapids ABC affiliate WZZM, Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Chief Trial Attorney Matt Roberts stated in court that there appears to be no question about who is responsible. “At least the evidence at this point has led us to the conclusion that the defendant in this case, by her own admission, did sit on the child, and that appears to have been the cause of death here.”
The prosecutor did mention that his office was still awaiting the results of Mialah’s autopsy, which had previously been performed.
Since Leak’s arrest, Child Protective Services has filed a petition to deprive him of any parental rights over Mialah’s twin sister. Mialah’s surviving child was reportedly hospitalized after her death.
According to documents, Leak is being held at the Muskegon County Jail in lieu of a $100,000 bail. The court appointed a public lawyer to represent Leak, who is set to appear in court again on December 9 for a probable cause conference.
