How Could You? Hall of Shame-Mialah Leak case-Child Death

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Muskegon, Michigan, adoptive mother, Sherry Lee Leak, 55, “was taken into custody at the scene and is being held at the Muskegon County Jail for manslaughter, a felony charge, according to the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office, for the November 23, 2025 death of her 11-year-old adoptive daughter, Mialah.

“Police are investigating the suspicious death of 11-year-old Mialah Leak after officers found her unresponsive Sunday evening at a mobile home park.

Police were called around 5:45 p.m. Sunday to Clover Estates Mobile Home Park on a report of an unresponsive child, according to the Fruitport Township Police Department.

Emergency responders were unable to revive Mialah, who was a fifth-grade student at Shettler Elementary School in the Fruitport Community Schools district.”

Sherry is being held “Muskegon County Jail for manslaughter, a felony charge, according to the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office.”

“Prosecutors say she admitted during arraignment to sitting on the child “for an extended period of time” to stop her from acting out.

Leak began CPR and called 911, Matt Roberts, chief trial attorney for the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office said, but prosecutors moved forward with charges based on the circumstances described in the case.

Roberts said the medical examiner’s report is still pending, but investigators expect the cause of death to be ruled suffocation based on the mother’s statements in court.”

“According to court records, Leak is being held on a $100,000 bond. She will appear in court again on Dec. 9 at 1:30 p.m. for a probable cause conference and again on Dec. 16 at 9:30 a.m. for a preliminary examination.

Roberts said additional charges may be filed as his office works with Child Protective Services and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to determine whether there were prior investigations involving the family.

Roberts added that the case is especially devastating because Mialah’s twin sister, who is nonverbal and has significant medical needs, has also been removed from the home. She is now in foster care and being treated at a hospital. [Wait, what? she was taking care of a nonverbal child too! 😠]

The sisters had been living with Leak since 2018, after their biological mother’s parental rights were terminated. Roberts said early signs of medical neglect involving the other twin were among the concerns authorities are now reviewing.”

“In a letter sent to families Monday, Superintendent Jason Kennedy described Mialah as known for “her warm smile, kindness toward classmates and friends, and the positive energy that she brought to school every day.”

The district said emotional support staff and the MAISD Critical Incident Stress Management team are available to help students and faculty process the loss.”

“Kennedy extended condolences to Mialah’s family, friends and school community, asking families to keep them in their thoughts during what he called an “incredibly difficult time.””

“The Fruitport Township Police Department says the investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Bryan Rypstra or Deputy Chief Greg Poulson at (231) 865-8477.”

Mother of Mialah Leak charged with manslaughter, held on $100K bond after child’s death
[WWMT 11/25/25 by Princess Jhané Stepherson|]

“Joni Leak said that she was close with her adoptive mother, Sherry Leak, when she first started staying at her house.”

“She said that in the last few years, however, her adoptive mother became increasingly abusive.

“She took Mialah [Leak] in her bedroom, and smacked her, and I couldn’t do anything about it, because I couldn’t get to her, because she had her living room set up where I couldn’t get to those kids,” Joni said.

Joni said that she lived on and off for several years with the woman accused of sitting on and killing one of her adopted daughters, Mialah.

Join said that she witnessed and experienced the abuse in Sherry Leak’s household firsthand.
“It wasn’t that bad until Covid-19 started, and that’s when she started locking me in my bedroom,”

Joni said. “She was just doing everything just to set me off.”

“Joni said that Child Protective Services eventually became aware of what she says was happening in the household, and paid a visit to both Joni at school and Sherry at the house.

“Sherry was acting all nice when I got off the bus, because they were there,” she said. “When they left, Sherry came into my bedroom and said, ‘So you’re telling people lies.’”

AnnaMay Lathrop is Joni’s biological mother, who got back custody of Joni.

She said that Joni still feels the effects of the abuse to this day.

She adds she’s deeply worried by what she calls CPS’s inaction.[Michigan CPS agents should be arrested and convicted of her death!!!!!!!!!!!!!But, No… that won’t happen because the 🤬 Michiganders don’t care!No one cares about these children!]

“To me, I mean, they’ve been shut down by people who were supposed to protect them, and if this happened to her, for her to open up what else happened to them, other little girls,” Lathrop said.

Joni said that she was devastated to hear about Mialah Leak’s death.”

“She believes Sherry Leak is responsible and said that she should be punished accordingly.

“I had a bond with her, I did everything with that little girl,” Joni said. “Every time she saw me, like she hugged me with a big old smile on her face, like she had that smile, she had that personality that I fell in love with.”

“Joni is now fighting for justice on behalf of Mialah, saying she’s sharing her story to prevent similar tragedies.

“I’m trying to be that little girl’s voice, because she can’t anymore,” Joni said. “She can’t open up to what she did to her.”

Sherry Leak posted a $300,000 bond earlier this week and is expected back in court on December 9th.”

Adopted daughter of Muskegon County Woman Accused in Child Death Speaks Out
[WZZM 11/28/25 by Nick Nelson]

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