Alia Wardell
Alia Wardell was a 20-year-old woman with special needs from Century, Florida, and according to a lawsuit brought by her mother, Melania Smith, she had expressed fear of dying in jail. Wardell died in the Escambia County Jail in November 2021, days after being discharged from a hospital into county custody. Her mother's lawsuit against the county and West Florida Hospital alleges that she was not given life-saving diabetes medication and that jail staff failed to identify her medical needs. In August 2025 the county approved a $200,000 settlement, and the hospital had reached a confidential settlement.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff. Her mother's lawsuit alleges jail staff did not give her life-saving diabetes medication and failed to identify her medical needs, and the county approved a $200,000 settlement.
Reported by: Melania Smith, her mother, in a lawsuit against Escambia County and West Florida Hospital (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: Her mother, Melania Smith, sued Escambia County and West Florida Hospital, and the county approved a $200,000 settlement in August 2025, while the hospital reached a confidential settlement.