Ariona Paige Darling
Ariona Paige Darling, 18, died in her cell at the Allen County Jail in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on June 27, 2021. The Allen County coroner's office determined she died by hanging and ruled the death a suicide. Her family says she had struggled with mental health issues for years and had been under suicide watch, with checks every 15 minutes, and they dispute how it could have happened. Her mother's 2023 wrongful death lawsuit against former sheriff David Gladieux, jail commander David Butler and the county alleges that required checks and camera monitoring were not carried out and that she was able to hang herself. In 2026 the county commissioners approved a $1.1 million settlement, and the sheriff's office had also investigated her death.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). The Allen County coroner's office ruled she died by hanging and a suicide, but her family says jail staff did not do the 15-minute checks she was supposed to get on suicide watch, and the family's lawsuit says footage shows she went unchecked for over an hour.
Reported by: Allen County coroner's office (medical examiner or coroner); her family, through a wrongful death lawsuit filed by her mother (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: Her family sued the Allen County sheriff, jail leaders and county over her death, and county commissioners approved a $1.1 million settlement.
News reports (5)
- News report
- Family plans own investigation after young woman dies in Allen County Jail
- Wrongful death lawsuit filed against Allen Co. Sheriff, jail leaders in death of 18-year-old inmate
- Family of deceased inmate files wrongful death suit against former Allen County sheriff, officials
- $1.1M settlement approved in wrongful death lawsuit of 18-year-old Allen County inmate