Guards at Rikers Island left teen with mental illness hanging for nearly eight minutes: family wins millions in lawsuit
When I saw him, I began to cry and pray; my soul shattered. No one explained what happened to put Nicholas there, until a reporter contacted me. When I heard the truth, my blood boiled. Nicholas tried to kill himself and for eight minutes, the people meant to care for him simply watched him hang.
- 4 months ago
July 11, 2024
Nicholas pictured during his recovery from a suicide attempt at Rikers Island. | Photo courtesy of Madeline Feliciano
NEW YORK, United States — After being detained on accusations of burglary and violation of probation, authorities sent my grandson Nicholas to Rikers Island. When Nicholas reached out, he sounded distant and muffled, but promised to call the next day on Thanksgiving. I never heard from him.
Two days later, the Department of Corrections notified me Nicholas was in the hospital. I later learned Nicholas attempted suicide and those meant to protect him, watched him hang for eight minutes. My grandson will never be the same.
Although we won a multi-million-dollar judgment against the City of New York, neither that nor the conviction of the guilty parties brings me happiness. Nothing can buy back his health. I live for Nicholas now, and will continue to be with him every step of the way.
Watch a full video interview with Nicholas’ grandmother from NBC New York.
A child of addicts, Nicholas goes to live with his grandmother
When my grandson Nicholas turned 10 years old, I became his legal guardian and adopted him. Though he seemed like a regular child, Nicholas had challenges. Eventually, doctors diagnosed and treated him for ADHD. The suffering Nicholas endured began early in life, as his parents grappled with addiction. They never really cared for him properly.
In my home, I encountered a boy who was affectionate and attentive. He constantly checked in on me and helped around the house. If he saw me wince in pain, he rushed to my side and brought me what I needed. If he ate a bag of chips, he offered to share without hesitation.
Yet, at times, that sweetness vanished, and Nicholas transformed. He would suddenly begin hurting himself. I grabbed his arms and held him close to calm him down. Sometimes it worked but other times, he waited for me to leave and ran from the house, screaming for help from the neighbors.
Witnessing his internal struggle, I saw a boy trying to be well but getting worse on the inside. Eventually, Nicholas’ mental health plummeted. I took him to therapy, and he participated without complaining. At night, I prayed to God to help me protect my grandson. Sitting together in the living room, we talked about everything. More than once, Nicholas told me he had no desire to live. His words squeezed at my heart and tore at my insides.
In desperation, I sought help everywhere. At one point, I even lost my job. We did enjoy bright spots, like our trip to Disney. Entering the park, his eyes lit up and his spirit soared; a state I only ever saw him in at Christmas. He ran around, full of life. Back home, however, we resumed the normal routine.
Arrested and sent to Rikers Island, Nicholas ends up hospitalized
Eventually, Nicholas began associating with bad people and lost himself in the dark corners of the world. Scared to death, I worried constantly, but learned to live with my fear of losing him. By then, Nicholas was on probation, and he needed to report in the next day. He seemed calm and composed and woke up in the morning in a good mood.
We enjoyed breakfast and I handed him the public transportation pass and some money for food. We hugged and I said, “See you later.” Little did I know, I would never see Nicholas properly again. That day, my nerves took over. I went to work thinking about my grandson, but soon became distracted by my tasks. The day swept by, and I went home.
As the evening passed, Nicholas did not return, nor could I find him. Something felt strange and my concern escalated as I paced through the house. When the phone finally rang, I felt surprised to encounter the probation department. “Nicholas is being transferred to jail,” they told me. The news hit me like a bombshell.
I made some calls and discovered Nicholas would have a hearing with a judge eventually. In the meantime, they sent him to Rikers Island for his alleged involvement in a burglary. The next day, Nicholas called me. His voice sounded faint and muffled and he cut the call short, saying he was being called away. He promised to call me the next day for Thanksgiving. A funny feeling swept through my body.
All my children gathered at my house for Thanksgiving dinner, but the phone never rang, and I had no news from Nicholas. The hours passed, dinner ended, and everyone went home, leaving me with my anguish. Two days later, a note appeared in my mailbox instructing me to call the Department of Corrections. When I called, the commissioner told me Nicholas had an accident and was in the hospital.
Reporter reveals the truth: for eight minutes, they watched him hang
With my heart pounding, I called the hospital and asked to see Nicholas. They told me to come the next day. That evening felt horrifying to me, as my imagination ran wild. However, reality proved far worse than the scenarios I conjured. At the hospital, Nicholas lay in a bed unconscious, hooked to a ventilator. The room was alive with the sounds and lights from machines, while he lay in a coma.
When I saw him, I began to cry and pray; my soul shattered. No one explained what happened to put Nicholas there, until a reporter contacted me. When I heard the truth, my blood boiled. Nicholas tried to kill himself and for eight minutes, the people meant to care for him simply watched him hang. When I considered the neglect Nicholas endured, I vowed to seek justice.
When Nicholas finally awoke from his coma, he could no longer speak or do many of the things he did before. It felt like having a baby all over again. His appearance changed completely, and he had to learn everything from scratch. When I approached him or offered affection, a look of estrangement shown in his eyes. He had no idea who I was.
I worked hard to remain calm in front of him, but often went to the waiting room to let off steam. Other times, I called family members to vent. At home, where no one could see me, I screamed and cried. The feelings of fear and sadness blended together and remain with me today. We will live with this for the rest of our lives.
$28.7 million settlement doesn’t undo what happened to Nicholas
When I filed a lawsuit against the City of New York, I knew I faced a battle. I was one person against a large and powerful structure, but my love for my grandson drove me forward. I continued visiting him regularly. Nicholas was unable to speak so we communicated using a blackboard.
One day during a visit, he looked me in the eyes and said, “Grandma.” My legs went weak. That single word felt like a soothing caress to my soul. As we worked through Nicholas’ recovery, I started recording our time together to help him remember things. That day, I caught him saying “Grandma” on camera. I often watch it as a source of comfort.
During that time, Nicholas made a lot of progress in therapy and treatment. He talks a little, but his memory slips and he struggles to retain things. Nicholas lives day to day, and I live it with him. Meanwhile, the lawsuit moved forward. On the day they announced the judgement, I sat next to my lawyers in court.
The judge began to speak, and when he announced the settlement, the world seemed to pause, and everything moved in slow motion. They awarded compensation in the amount of $28.7 million. I looked over and glimpsed the resignation on the opposing lawyers’ faces. A few cheers broke out in the courtroom and my lawyer offered a subdued smile and a pat.
I, however, felt strange. We won the lawsuit, but I felt no relief. Money cannot undo what Nicholas and I live with. It will, however, make treatment expenses easier to manage. I feel somewhat dissatisfied with how the prosecutor pursued some of the guards, and two others still await sentences. Yet, I hold onto the notion that what’s done is done.
I love Nicholas so much; I would give my life to him if I could. Last May, he turned 23 years old. While he continues to improve in some areas, he is not the same person. He uses a walker to get around and his memory remains impaired. Through it all, I will always remain by his side and ensure he recieves the best possible care.
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