February 07, 2022
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'Alia's Law': Century mother seeks Baker Act reform after daughter's death in jail - Yahoo News

It's been just over two months since 20-year-old Alia Wardell died alone in an Escambia County Jail cell — and her family is no closer to having answers about why.

Melania Smith still combs through the events that led up to her daughter being arrested, then found unresponsive in her jail cell days later. Leading up to the tragedy, Smith had made the same 911 call for emergency mental health intervention for her daughter that she had made at least 30 times before.

"They tell you if your child is having a crisis, to call 911 and let's Baker Act them," Smith said.

That call set off a series of events that ultimately ended in her daughter's death.

Melania Smith spreads a memorial blanket depicting her late daughter, Alia Wardell, on Alia's bed at her home in Century on Jan. 14. The 20-year-old died at the Escambia County Jail after she was detained under the Baker Act in November, and her death remains under investigation.
Melania Smith spreads a memorial blanket depicting her late daughter, Alia Wardell, on Alia's bed at her home in Century on Jan. 14. The 20-year-old died at the Escambia County Jail after she was detained under the Baker Act in November, and her death remains under investigation.

Smith now hopes to prevent a similar tragedy from befalling another family by championing legislation called "Alia's Law" that would prevent people who are Baker Acted from facing criminal charges related to a mental health crisis.

Smith called 911 on Nov. 17 to get help for her daughter after Wardell refused to take her medication.

Wardell was transported to West Florida Hospital where Smith said her daughter was no longer treated like a mental health patient. Wardell became combative and lashed out at hospital staff when they tried to turn off a TV in her room. Wardell was booked into the jail Nov. 22 on five charges of felony battery for assaulting emergency room staff.

On Nov. 28, Wardell was found unresponsive in her jail cell and transported to Baptist Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Smith said it is believed that Wardell died of hypothermia, as hospital staff told her Wardell's core body temperature was 82 degrees.

Autopsy results are not yet available, and the circumstances around Wardell's death are still under investigation.



source: https://news.yahoo.com/alias-law-century-mother-seeks-120110856.html

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