A Pennsylvania medical examiner ruled the death of Daphy Michel, a 31-year-old Haitian woman, a homicide due to hypothermia three days after her release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in March. The ruling cited her vulnerable state, including severe mental health issues and a language barrier.
The ruling raises questions about the treatment and release protocols for vulnerable individuals in federal immigration custody and highlights potential systemic issues within ICE's handling of detainees with severe mental health needs and language barriers.
A Haitian woman's death three days after her release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in March has been ruled a homicide by a Pennsylvania medical examiner. Daphy Michel, 31, died from hypothermia, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office.
The examiner's office described Michel as a "vulnerable adult, suffering from untreated severe mental health issues and a significant language barrier" at the time of her release. A spokesperson for the office stated that based on all available information, the pathologist ruled her death a homicide, clarifying that this finding does not imply criminal guilt.
Prior to her death, ICE had accused Michel of "terroristic threats and harassment" and had begun deportation proceedings. While denying blame, Lauren Bis, acting DHS assistant secretary, stated that Michel was released from custody with an ankle monitor.