Remember Mialah: Mother Faces Upgraded Open Murder Charge for Sitting on 11-Year-Old Daughter

Photo of Sherry Leak and her adopted daughter from WZZM.com.

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Sherry Leak of Muskegon County, Michigan is facing upgraded Open Murder charges for sitting on and killing her defenseless 11-year-old adoptive daughter. The charges are a far cry from the original charges of Involuntary Manslaughter and Second-Degree Child Abuse.

What Happened

On November 23, 2025, Sherry Leak attempted to physically discipline Mialah on her birthday. This turned into a physical altercation between the two in their Clover Estates Mobile Home Park in Fruitport Township, Michigan. Things only got worse.

At some point during the fight, Sherry shoved or knocked Mialah on the floor. From there, Sherry ruthlessly sat on the little girl’s back, stopping her from breathing. Sherry coldly admitted she sat on Mialah for an extended period of time until she “stopped struggling.” Sadly, Mialah lost consciousness and died.

When she realized what she had done, Sherry called 911. She told the dispatcher that her daughter had been “knocked over” during the fight. She also told them her daughter was unconscious and not breathing. As Sherry performed CPR at the direction of the dispatcher, the dispatcher realized something wasn’t right.

So, dispatch reached out to first responders. Over the radio, the dispatcher informed the first responders that “the person doing CPR was the assaulting party.” Fruitport Township police arrived on scene and were unable to revive Mialah. They took Sherry into custody at the scene of the crime.

The Medical Examiner’s Report

In late February 2026, the Medical Examiner’s Report officially listed Mialah’s cause of death as “mechanical asphyxia.” This means she died by suffocation using external pressure. The report also noted that Mialah was in a prone or face-down position when she was crushed.

Considering the evidence, on March 10, 2026, the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office announced they are now seeking to upgrade the charges to Open Murder. They believe the medical evidence shows the vicious restraint was prolonged and severe enough to meet the legal standard for murder. It appears they are right.

The Takeaway

Sherry Leak of Muskegon County, Michigan is facing upgraded Open Murder charges for barbarically sitting on and killing her 11-year-old adoptive daughter Mialah. on March 10, 2026, the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office said they are now looking to enhance the charges to Open Murder. They should. Sherry Leak has a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 30, 2026, where more information will be revealed. Follow and subscribe to keep tabs on this case and others in The Unprotected Gone Series.

Jermaine Reed, MFA is an educator and the Editor in Chief of TheReedersBlock. Take time to Subscribe. It helps promote independent journalism and my site.