Maricella Chairez
Maricella Chairez was 16 when she died by suicide in 2017 at the Racine County Juvenile Detention Center. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that she loved photography, poetry and journaling, dreamed of helping other survivors of trafficking, and cared for her little brother. Journal Sentinel records show guards arrived 26 minutes late for a scheduled check, and that she had attempted suicide several times in the months before, including nine days earlier. The newspaper's investigation found that authorities failed to act on her reports of sexual assault and her mental health needs, and that she had been kept in cell confinement that was never lifted. Officials said they were devastated and removed bunks from some rooms, but did not explain the delayed check or other failures in her care.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). Racine County officials and the sheriff's investigation attributed her death to suicide by hanging, but a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation found staff were 26 minutes late for a scheduled check and did not act on her reports of sexual assault and mental health needs.
Reported by: Racine County Sheriff's Department (the agency that held her); Racine County officials (the agency that held her); Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation (reporters).