The estate of Layleen Polanco — a transgender woman who was found dead in a jail cell at Rikers Island in June — is suing the city of New York over her death. The city’s medical examiner ruled last month that the 27-year-old Afro-Latinx woman died of complications from epilepsy. Polanco’s mother says that officials knew of her medical condition but still put her in solitary confinement without proper supervision. The suit alleges this violated the 14th Amendment, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act. Layleen Polanco was arrested in April on misdemeanor charges and jailed for two months after she was unable to post $500 bail.
Estate of Layleen Polanco Sues NYC over Her Death at Rikers
HeadlineAug 13, 2019