Laliah Swayzer
Laliah Swayzer was born in July 2016 in an isolation cell at the Milwaukee County Jail, where her mother had been held after arriving pregnant, and her mother had already chosen her name. Staff did not notice the birth until hours later, and nurses found her dead. The medical examiner could not determine when or how she died. Her mother's lawsuit says Laliah was born alive and cried weakly before going silent, while defense expert witnesses say she was stillborn, likely from a lung infection.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). The medical examiner could not determine the cause of death, and the family's wrongful death lawsuit says jail staff failed to notice the birth for hours while the baby was alive and crying weakly, while defense experts contend she was stillborn from a likely lung infection.
Reported by: Milwaukee County Medical Examiner (medical examiner or coroner); Swayzer family wrongful death lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: Laliah's mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit over her death, and no settlement or verdict amount has been reported.