The family of a suburban Detroit mother and her two sons who froze to death two years ago in an open field have filed a pair of wrongful death lawsuits against the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department.
Attorney Megan Bonanni says 35-year-old Monica Cannady suffered from mental illness. Her lawsuit claims responding sheriff’s deputies ignored multiple warnings, and opportunities, to prevent the tragedy.
“She was knocking on doors,” Bonanni said. “She was trying to break into homes looking for help. She was in danger as were her children. Callers repeatedly warned that Monica and her three children — ages 10, 9, and 3 — were wandering the freezing streets of Pontiac, Michigan wearing only sheets and they were in imminent danger.”
Cannady and her sons, 9-year-old Kyle and 3-year-old Malik Milton, froze to death after laying down in a field to sleep, back in January 2023. A 10-year-old sister did survive and is now living with extended family.
In a written statement, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department “vehemently” denies that any actions by department personnel led to their deaths.
