Shade Swayzer was eight-and-a-half months pregnant when she delivered her baby in a Milwaukee County Jail cell. The 30-year-old was imprisoned for a probation violation when her water broke.
While in labor, Swayzer appealed with a corrections officer for medical help, but the official reportedly laughed and disregarded her plea. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the baby died within the cell hours after Swayzer gave birth. She was later found by officials. Now, she’s filed a notice of claim against the county jail and Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office for $8.5 million.
Medical officials have performed an autopsy on Swayzer’s baby, but results are still forthcoming. The news site also states a representative for Sheriff David Clarke, who’s in charge of the jail’s operations, has yet to comment.
According to reports, four people have died while in custody in the Milwaukee County Jail stemming back to April.