A mother from Detroit is demanding justice and answers after her 23-year-old daughter, Chelsea Heugel, died by suicide while in custody at the 36th District Court. Heugel, who was awaiting arraignment on September 17, tragically attempted suicide and was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Her mother, Rebecca Fant, has been mourning the loss of her daughter for two weeks while struggling to understand how such a tragedy could occur under court supervision.
Mental Health and Legal Struggles
Chelsea Heugel was a mother of three children and had been battling mental illness, including bipolar disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and ADHD. Her life took a downward spiral after enduring a domestic violence situation, which led her to escape and eventually fall into dangerous situations with the wrong crowd. She was recently arrested for operating a stolen vehicle, fleeing police, and removing her tether, which led to her court appearance.
Fant expressed frustration over the lack of oversight in the court’s custody, stating, “It shocked me… the fact that I reported her mental illnesses, that they weren’t watching her.” The grieving mother emphasized that her daughter’s struggles were known, and proper supervision could have prevented her death.
Calls for Accountability and Support
Fant is left not only grieving the loss of her daughter but also grappling with the impact on her grandchildren and family. “Those three kids now, because someone didn’t do their job, have to grow up without a mother,” she said. Fant also pointed out that her remaining children are struggling to comprehend the loss of their sister.
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For more detailed coverage on this tragic story, visit WXYZ Detroit.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.