Sheniqua is a loving, devoted mother of four young children: her youngest son is 1 year old, her twins (a boy and a girl) are 5 years old, and her eldest daughter is 12. Two years ago, before her youngest was born, Sheniqua went to Jackson Park Hospital for help with what felt like a panic attack. Rather than prescribing her medication, the hospital staff told her she would be placed on a 3–5-day involuntary hold, meaning that she would not be allowed to leave. When she requested to use the phone to contact her mother and arrange care for her kids, hospital staff told her she could not, and they would not call her family for her. With no way to contact her mother or children, and still experiencing panic exacerbated by her treatment at the hospital, Sheniqua tried to leave as fast as she could. Sheniqua was then grabbed by security, restrained and drugged without her consent for several days in inpatient “treatment.” Due to what happened at the hospital when she was trying to leave, Sheniqua was criminally charged. She asserted her innocence, went to trial before a judge, and lost. She was sentenced to four years in prison for a complete accident that occurred while she was experiencing a mental health crisis, receiving poor treatment, and trying to make sure her kids would be cared for. Since being in prison, to avoid her four children going into foster care, Sheniqua’s mother Desiree is taking care of the children. Desiree works 7 days a week as a patient care coordinator at a hospital. Despite her consistent employment, the cost of four additional children has overwhelmed her household and she has fallen behind financially. Desiree is unable to make ends meet. She has already had to pull the three youngest children out of their childcare program because the monthly cost was too much. She is behind on rent which puts her at risk of eviction. Her greatest fear is falling so far behind that she is unable to care for the children and DCSF will separate the children from each other and from the adults they know. Sheniqua always puts her children first, and her mistreatment by the hospital and the criminal punishment system has made it hard for her to parent from inside a prison. This fundraiser has been set up to help cover the costs of bills and living expenses that come with raising four young children. Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated, and no amount is too small. Even $5 can make a difference towards a lasting impact. We are tremendously grateful to those who can help support this wonderful family that has had to endure too much without help.
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