Layleen Xtravaganza Cubilette-Polanco was a 27-year-old Afro-Latina transgender woman who died at Rikers Island, New York City's main jail complex, on June 7, 2019, in solitary confinement after staff failed to provide her with medical care that could have saved her life for 47 minutes following an epileptic seizure.[1][2][3][4] After a six-month investigation, the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI) and Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark claimed that staff members were not responsible for Polanco's death.[3][5] Records indicate that officers had extensive knowledge of Polanco's epilepsy, she having already suffered multiple seizures at Rikers.[6]
A video of the incident revealed that multiple staff members knocked on Polanco's cell door and that she was unresponsive. In the presence of her unresponsive body, officers could be seen laughing.[3][7] The DOI stated that officers thought Polanco was napping and that the laughter was unrelated.[3] A wrongful death lawsuit was filed by David Shanies, the attorney for the Polanco family.[3] Polanco's death reignited conversations about banning cash bail and pretrial detention.[6] Melania Brown, Polanco's sister, and many others called for banning solitary confinement in New York City after Polanco's death.[3][8]
^"Justice for Layleen Polanco: Community Demands Answers After Trans Black Latinx Woman Died at Rikers". Democracy Now!. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
^Tso, Tiffany Diane (13 August 2019). "Layleen Polanco's Mother Is Suing NYC Over Her Solitary Confinement Death At Rikers". Refinery29. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
^ abcdefSosin, Kate (13 June 2020). "New video reveals Layleen Polanco's death at Rikers was preventable, family says". NBC News. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
^Diavolo, Lucy (15 June 2020). "Brooklyn Liberation Brought Thousands to the Streets for Black Trans Lives". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
^Carrega, Christina (5 June 2020). "'No criminality' found in the death of transgender inmate on Rikers Island: Prosecutor". ABC News. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
^ abGrinberg, Emanuella (31 July 2019). "Cause of death revealed for transgender woman who died at Rikers Island". CNN. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
^Provenzano, Brianna (15 June 2020). "Layleen Polanco's Treatment By Prison Guards Shows How Trans Women Are Killed By An Indifferent System". Refinery29. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
^Goldensohn, Rosa; Blau, Reuven (23 June 2020). "Jailer Pushed Layleen Polanco Into Rikers Island Solitary Confinement Despite Red Flags: Report". The City. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
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