In a poignant moment during the Milwaukee County Committee on Judiciary, Law Enforcement and General Services meeting, a mother shared her heart-wrenching experience following the tragic death of her daughter, Sylvia Therian, in the Milwaukee County Jail in December 2020. The mother, visibly emotional, expressed her support for Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 5.75, which aims to address critical issues surrounding mental health care within the jail system.

She recounted the harrowing timeline of events, revealing that she was not informed of her daughter's passing until 7 PM that evening, despite having spoken to her just hours earlier. The mother criticized the Waukesha Police Department for their lack of communication and transparency, claiming that their investigation was riddled with inconsistencies and delays. "They say that there's a sleep cycle for investigations, that's a lie," she asserted, emphasizing her frustration with the authorities' handling of the situation.

The mother also highlighted the prolonged wait she endured to view the video of her daughter's final moments, which took nearly four months to obtain. This delay, she argued, underscores a systemic failure to provide adequate mental health support within the jail. "Milwaukee County Jail is not able to take care of these people with severe mental health," she stated, lamenting that her daughter could have been released to a mental health facility instead of remaining in custody.

As she spoke, the mother raised concerns about the lack of transparency from the sheriff's office and the difficulty she faced in obtaining information regarding policies and procedures related to mental health care in the jail. "They have hidden much information," she claimed, calling for accountability and reform.

Wearing a shirt emblazoned with "Senate Bill 722," she revealed her efforts at the state level to advocate for change, stating, "They wanted to brush me under the rug, and I did it to save thousands of lives." Her testimony resonated deeply, shedding light on the urgent need for reform in the Milwaukee County Jail system and the broader implications for mental health care in correctional facilities.

As the meeting continued, the emotional weight of her words lingered, reminding attendees of the critical intersection between law enforcement, mental health, and the lives of those in custody.