Ayanna
Ayanna was a baby girl, named by her mother, who died shortly after being born in her mother's cell at the Onondaga County jail in Syracuse in early August 2022. Her mother had reportedly warned deputies and nurses for days that she was in labor, and other women held there said they heard her plead for help. The Onondaga County Sheriff's Office opened an investigation, and the state Attorney General's Office was reviewing whether to open its own. The family chose not to hold a service because her mother was not able to cope with the stress.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (neglect alleged). The Sheriff's Office is investigating and the state Attorney General's Office was reviewing whether to open its own; the mother says deputies and nurses ignored days of warnings that she was in labor, and other women held there say they heard her plead for help.