Jennifer Wallace
Jennifer Wallace was 54 and had been held at the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Ypsilanti, Michigan, since 2019; her mother, Susan Wallace, visited nearly every week and called her her oldest child and best friend. Her family says she had heart problems and dental issues that worsened while she was in the prison, and that during a November visit she could not eat, drink or lift her head, and they spent days trying to get help. State Representative Laurie Pohutsky told a House committee, citing an autopsy, that Wallace died of sepsis after an infected tooth spread to her heart. Her brother Lloyd Simpson says the death was entirely preventable, and the family is suing; the Michigan Department of Corrections did not respond to a request for comment.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, citing an autopsy, says sepsis from an infected tooth spread to her heart, while her mother Susan Wallace and brother Lloyd Simpson say the prison's neglect and missed dental care caused the death, and the family's lawsuit over the death is pending. Her family says staff ignored requests for help even as she could not eat, drink or lift her head.
Reported by: Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, citing autopsy (medical examiner or coroner); Susan Wallace, her mother (family or their lawyers); Lloyd Simpson, Wallace's brother (family or their lawyers); Todd Flood, the family's lawyer (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: Her family is suing over her death, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.
Sources (5)
- State hearing aims to address care, safety concerns at Huron Valley Correctional Facility
- Oversight Committee hears testimony alleging mold, death, retaliation at Michigan women's prison
- Michigan Department of Corrections director visits Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility amidst calls for her resignation
- Dingell asks Whitmer for answers on conditions at women’s prison after third death in a month
- Community members protest Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility prison conditions