MMI Relatives

A 32-year-old Indigenous woman named Jaelyn Jean Eagle Thunder died at a South Dakota substance-abuse treatment program called Volunteers of America’s New Start. Her family has serious questions that have gone unanswered. According to her family, Jaelyn had sleep apnea, as well as a laundry list of other breathing issues, and was prescribed a CPAP by two separate medical facilities. New Start refused to let her use it because they didn’t order it themselves. She was also denied medical attention just days before her death. Jaelyn went to the emergency room, and the hospital wanted to admit her. When she called the program to let them know what was going on, she was told that if she didn’t return immediately, she would lose her bed at the facility, and they would call CPS regarding her four-year-old son who resided with her at the facility. Jaelyn, out of fear, returned to the facility against medical advice. She was also given Suboxone, a medication for opioid addiction, even though her family says she wasn’t an opioid user. She wasn’t experiencing withdrawal. Suboxone is a known respiratory depressant and is not recommended for people with severe or chronic breathing issues. She already had breathing problems and was denied the equipment she needed, as well as administered unnecessary medication that was dangerous for her to take with her condition. She then died in the early morning hours of June 12, 2026. In rehabilitation facilities, it is standard for staff members to do wellness checks on their clientele throughout the night. This clearly wasn’t the case at New Start. Jaelyn last reportedly showed signs of life around 2:00 a.m. when another client who shared a communal bathroom with Jaelyn could hear her in her room. At around 7:20 a.m., Jaelyn’s 4-year-old son alerted the staff that his mother wouldn’t wake up. It appears no nightly checks were done on Jaelyn by the staff of the New Start program. Sometime between 2:00 a.m., when she was last heard by another client, and 7:20 a.m., when her son alerted the staff, Jaelyn had lost her life. A sweet 4-year-old boy was left alone for what could have been hours with his own mother’s perished remains. New Start has not been forthcoming with Jaelyn’s mother, Pamela Flute, about her final hours. They have not been forthcoming about anything with Pamela. Sanford Health may also be involved in covering up the New Start program’s crimes. When asked at the hospital if she could view her daughter’s body, Pamela was repeatedly told no. The hospital claimed that her remains were not at the location, that they had been shipped out to a separate location due to cooler failure. When Pamela questioned the funeral home that retrieved her daughter’s body, they did confirm that they retrieved it from a separate facility. But at the time Pamela was at Sanford Health asking to view Jaelyn’s remains, her remains were actually still at Sanford. The other facility did not come to retrieve them until much later that day. There was no reason Pamela was denied viewing her daughter’s remains immediately. Sanford Health also repeatedly denied Pamela when she requested an autopsy for her daughter. Pamela asked repeatedly for an autopsy, and even enlisted the help of a Lower Brule tribal council member to do so. The autopsy was refused, even at the personal expense of Pamela or the tribal council. Sanford claimed that her death was ruled an unattended death by natural causes and the case was closed. Which raises the question: how would you determine the death was of natural causes if you never performed an autopsy? Bare minimum, a physical examination would be needed to determine this, and one was never performed. Even so, if this death was because of natural causes, would it have happened if New Start hadn’t denied Jaelyn her essential medical equipment, hadn’t denied her medical attention at the emergency room, and hadn’t knowingly given her medication that was dangerous for her? We are currently fundraising for Jaelyn’s mother, Pamela, so that Pamela may continue to support and raise Jaelyn’s children in her daughter’s absence. We are also fundraising to help Pamela with any costs that occur during her fight for justice. Pamela is actively fighting to have the New Start facility held accountable for the medical neglect that led to her daughter’s death.

Help Makia "Kia" Chipps-Boswell's Family Seek Accountability On April 28, 2025, Makia "Kia" Chipps-Boswell, a 25-year-old enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, passed away while residing at Progress Valley Sober Living Home in Richfield, Minnesota. According to her mother, Manila Chipps, Kia repeatedly asked staff for medical attention after developing a fever and requested to be taken to urgent care. Her family believes those pleas for help were ignored, and that she remained alone in her room for approximately 16 hours before she was discovered. Her death certificate lists bronchial pneumonia as the cause of death. Since losing Kia, her family has been searching for answers. They have retained legal counsel and are pursuing accountability through the legal system, believing there are serious unanswered questions surrounding the care she received and whether timely medical intervention could have changed the outcome. The legal process is emotionally and financially overwhelming. Attorney fees, court costs, expert consultations, and other legal expenses continue to grow, placing an enormous burden on a family already carrying unimaginable grief. This fundraiser has been created to help support Makia's family with the legal expenses associated with their pursuit of accountability. Every donation will help ease the financial burden so they can continue seeking answers and advocating for justice. Kia was remembered for her infectious laugh, kind heart, vibrant spirit, and ability to make everyone around her smile. She was a beloved daughter, twin, sister, granddaughter, auntie, and friend whose life touched countless people. If you're unable to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser. Every share helps amplify Kia's story and supports her family's pursuit of truth and accountability. Thank you for standing with Makia "Kia" Chipps-Boswell and her family. Your kindness, generosity, and support mean more than words can express.