Woman ‘Trying to Be a Mermaid' Arrested After Officers Allegedly Find Her Nude in Neighbor's Pond By Colson Thayer

A Louisiana woman has been arrested after she was allegedly caught naked in her neighbor’s pond, a local sheriff’s office reports.

According to a social media statement shared on Wednesday, Jan. 7, by the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office (UPSO) in Farmerville, La., 41-year-old Erin Elizabeth Sutton was arrested this week in connection to an alleged incident last year.

In November 2025, authorities were dispatched to a residence in the Linville community of Marion, La., in reference to a trespassing complaint, per the statement. The homeowner reportedly called claiming their neighbor was “standing in their driveway screaming” and that they were informed not to trespass on the property.  

Upon arrival, UPSO officers located Sutton “swimming, nude, in a pond on the caller’s property.”

“[Sutton] refused to exit the pond and speak to the deputy, stating she was ‘trying to be a mermaid,’ ” the department writes. 

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After “several commands” the woman finally exited the pond, per the statement. Due to cold temperatures, emergency medical services (EMS) evaluated Sutton and provided a blanket. 

Authorities ushered Sutton inside a residence to warm up, but the defendant “suddenly charged toward the deputy,” per the statement.

“After several commands, Sutton refused to comply, and the deputy deployed a taser, which had no effect,” the post says. “Sutton was taken to the ground, where she continued to resist detention and began kicking and punching the deputy.”

When Sutton was finally restrained, she was transferred by EMS to the local hospital for further treatment, according to authorities. 

“During transport, Sutton threatened to kill deputies and paramedics,” UPSO writes.

Because Sutton required medical treatment, deputies waited until a later date to seek warrants for her arrest. 

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On Jan. 6, Sutton surrendered herself to deputies at UPSO was placed into custody. 

According to the department, Sutton currently 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. 

Neither Sutton nor the UPSO immediately responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment.