A Louisiana woman has been arrested following a bizarre and highly disruptive incident that unfolded in a quiet rural community, drawing attention from local authorities and national media alike. Erin Elizabeth Sutton, 41, was taken into custody after deputies with the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office (UPSO) allegedly found her swimming naked in a neighbor’s pond while refusing to comply with repeated commands to leave the property.
According to officials, Sutton told responding officers that she was “trying to be a mermaid,” a statement that became central to the unusual nature of the case. What began as a trespassing complaint escalated into a physical confrontation with law enforcement, resulting in multiple criminal charges and a delayed arrest due to medical concerns.
The incident, which occurred in November 2025 in the Linville community of Marion, Louisiana, was formally detailed by the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office in a public statement shared on social media on January 7. While the arrest itself took place in early January, deputies explained that the delay was necessary because Sutton required immediate medical evaluation following the confrontation. The case has since sparked widespread discussion, not only for its unusual facts but also for the serious legal consequences that followed.
Trespassing Call Leads to Unusual Discovery
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies were dispatched to a residence in the Linville community after a homeowner reported a trespassing complaint involving their neighbor. The caller alleged that Sutton had been standing in their driveway, screaming, and had previously been warned not to trespass on the property. When deputies arrived on the scene, they did not immediately find Sutton in the driveway as described. Instead, officers reportedly located her swimming nude in a pond situated on the caller’s property.
UPSO officials stated that Erin Elizabeth Sutton refused to exit the pond or engage in conversation with the responding deputy. When instructed to leave the water, she allegedly explained that she was “trying to be a mermaid.” The sheriff’s office did not provide further detail regarding Sutton’s condition at the time, but noted that she was uncooperative despite multiple commands.
After several attempts to persuade Sutton to comply, she eventually exited the pond. Due to the cold temperatures, emergency medical services were called to the scene. EMS personnel evaluated Sutton and provided her with a blanket, a precautionary measure intended to prevent complications from cold exposure. Deputies then escorted her into a nearby residence so she could warm up, believing the situation was de-escalating.
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At that point, however, authorities say the encounter took a sudden and violent turn. According to the UPSO statement, Sutton unexpectedly charged toward a deputy inside the residence. Deputies issued several commands ordering her to stop and comply, but she allegedly refused. A deputy then deployed a taser in an attempt to subdue her, but officials stated that the taser had no effect.
Confrontation with Deputies and Medical Response
Following the unsuccessful use of the taser, deputies reportedly took Sutton to the ground. Even then, authorities allege that she continued to resist detention, kicking and punching the deputy as officers attempted to restrain her. The sheriff’s office described the situation as an active struggle that required continued effort to bring under control. Once Sutton was finally restrained, emergency medical services transported her to a local hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
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Officials have not disclosed the specific nature of her medical condition or injuries, but emphasized that medical attention was deemed necessary. During the transport, according to UPSO, Sutton allegedly issued threats toward both deputies and paramedics, including threats to kill them. Because Sutton required medical treatment following the incident, deputies did not immediately place her under arrest or transport her to jail.
Instead, law enforcement officials waited until she had been medically cleared before moving forward with the legal process. This delay, they said, was the reason warrants were not sought until a later date. On January 6, Sutton surrendered herself to deputies at the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office, where she was formally placed into custody. The sheriff’s office confirmed that she was cooperative during the surrender and that the arrest proceeded without incident at that time.
Charges Filed and Official Response
Following her surrender, Sutton was booked on a series of charges related to both the initial trespassing incident and the subsequent confrontation with law enforcement. According to the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office, she faces three counts of resisting an officer, two counts of public intimidation, two counts of battery of a police officer, one count of disturbing the peace, and one count of criminal trespassing.
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Under Louisiana law, these charges carry potentially serious consequences, particularly the counts involving battery of a police officer and public intimidation. Battery of a police officer is considered a felony offense, while public intimidation involves threats made against public officials or emergency responders in the course of their duties. The resisting officer charges reflect allegations that Sutton actively resisted deputies both before and after being taken into custody.
Neither Sutton nor the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to requests for comment from PEOPLE magazine following the publication of the incident. The sheriff’s office has not released additional details about Sutton’s background, her relationship with the complaining neighbor, or whether there had been prior incidents involving law enforcement.
The case has drawn attention primarily due to its unusual circumstances, but authorities emphasized that the charges stem from specific actions rather than the eccentric explanation Sutton allegedly provided at the scene. Law enforcement officials have maintained that their response was guided by safety concerns for all parties involved, including Sutton herself, the deputies, and emergency medical personnel.
As the legal process moves forward, Sutton’s case will proceed through the local court system, where the allegations outlined by the sheriff’s office will be reviewed. At this stage, all charges remain allegations, and Sutton is entitled to due process under the law. The incident serves as a reminder that what may begin as a routine call for service can escalate rapidly, resulting in significant legal consequences when individuals refuse to comply with lawful orders or engage in physical confrontations with authorities.