Investigation Complete: Miami-Dade Corrections Clears Staff
Miami-Dade jail officials have finished their investigation into how an inmate became pregnant behind bars. The case, which was first revealed by 7 Investigates in November, involved two inmates, Daisy Link and Joan Depaz, who conceived a child despite never physically meeting.
The Unlikely Conception
Daisy Link described the situation as "a real twist," saying, "Everybody says it to me, this is like some Lifetime Movie Network." However, it wasn’t a movie. The two inmates managed to conceive a child through a highly unconventional method, with Depaz passing semen to Link through a vent in their cells. Link explained, "He would kind of like roll it up almost like a cigarette and he would attach it to the line that we had in the vent, and I would pull it through. From there, I had placed it inside of, it was the, you know, the yeast infection applicators? I had placed it inside of there, and then from there, yeah, I administered it."
Investigation Findings
The investigation, which took longer than a full-term pregnancy to complete, found that there was "insufficient evidence to substantiate staff misconduct." However, the jail did make changes after the incident, including putting in place a procedure "to drastically reduce, if not eliminate applicators/tips in circulation" for inmates. Additionally, the jail rearranged certain levels to prevent males and females from being on the same level, making it more difficult for inmates to communicate through the vents.
Security Changes
The changes made by the jail aim to prevent similar incidents in the future. Link noted, "I know that they rearranged certain levels, where males are not to be on the same level as females, so that way the vents don’t collide." The details of the "action plan" are redacted, but the objective is to ensure that inmates are not communicating through the vents as well as transporting contraband throughout the building.
Aftermath
Depaz, who is no longer in county custody, pleaded guilty to murdering a man and was sentenced to 25 years in state prison. Link remains at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center awaiting trial in a separate murder case. Their daughter, who is now almost 9 months old, is living with Depaz’s mother.
Conclusion
The case highlights the need for increased security measures in correctional facilities to prevent such incidents from occurring. While the investigation did not find any staff misconduct, it is clear that changes were necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future. The incident has also raised questions about the security and safety of inmates and staff at the facility.
FAQs
- Q: How did the inmates conceive a child?
A: The inmates conceived a child through a vent in their cells, with Depaz passing semen to Link using a makeshift method. - Q: Were any staff members involved in the incident?
A: According to the investigation, there was no evidence of staff misconduct. - Q: What changes were made to the facility after the incident?
A: The jail put in place a procedure to reduce the circulation of applicators/tips among inmates and rearranged certain levels to prevent males and females from being on the same level. - Q: What happened to the inmates involved?
A: Depaz pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 25 years in state prison, while Link remains at the correctional center awaiting trial in a separate murder case.
