Family sues Oakland County deputies over deaths of woman, 2 children

The family of Monica Cannady, a Pontiac woman who froze to death with her two young sons in January 2023, is suing the Oakland County Sheriff's Office and three deputies, alleging negligence and bias in their handling of the family's mental health crisis. The lawsuits claim that deputies were aware of Cannady's deteriorating mental state and failed to take appropriate action when they were called for help multiple times. Body camera footage reveals one deputy expressing contempt for the situation, stating it was a 'dumb ass welfare check' and suggesting that 'people in Pontiac just don’t die.' The sheriff's office has denied the claims, asserting that they made numerous attempts to assist Cannady, who ultimately refused help. The lawsuits also argue that the deputies' actions and attitudes contributed to the tragic outcome, emphasizing a pattern of indifference towards the family's vulnerability. Cannady's surviving daughter managed to seek help after the deaths, highlighting the dire circumstances the family faced.