Woman Found Not Guilty by Mental Illness in Hospital Van Hijacking

Jerilyn Soto, 47, was convicted of carjacking but deemed not guilty due to mental disease or defect.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:49pm

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An extreme close-up of a shiny metal object, such as a car key or a knife, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the complex legal issues in this case.A stark close-up of a potential crime scene object illuminates the complex legal issues surrounding mental illness and criminal responsibility.Green Bay Today

A 47-year-old woman in Green Bay, Wisconsin has been found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect for hijacking a hospital shuttle van at knifepoint. Jerilyn Soto was convicted of carjacking, but prosecutors agreed to the finding regarding her mental condition. Soto and the stolen van were later found in Chicago several days after the incident at HSHS St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex legal and mental health issues surrounding criminal acts committed by individuals suffering from mental illness. The finding of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect raises questions about the balance between public safety and providing appropriate treatment for those with mental health challenges.

The details

On July 8, Jerilyn Soto allegedly stole a Prevea Health shuttle van at knifepoint from an employee driver at HSHS St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay. Soto and the stolen van were later located in Chicago several days after the incident.

  • On July 8, Soto allegedly hijacked the hospital shuttle van at knifepoint.
  • Soto and the stolen van were found in Chicago several days later.

The players

Jerilyn Soto

A 47-year-old woman who was found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect for hijacking a hospital shuttle van at knifepoint.

Prevea Health

The healthcare organization that operated the shuttle van that was hijacked.

HSHS St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center

The hospital in Green Bay, Wisconsin where the shuttle van was hijacked.

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What’s next

Soto will return to court on June 15 for a status conference regarding her case.

The takeaway

The finding of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect in this case underscores the need for a nuanced approach to criminal justice that prioritizes treatment and rehabilitation for those with mental health challenges, while also ensuring public safety.