Hayley Adkins
Ledger Independent
Criminal charges have been filed in Adams County against four corrections officers, accused of failing to give proper observation checks on an inmate.
Last week, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office (ASCO) and Sheridd Kenny Dick issued a press release claiming that an inmate lodged at the Adams County Correctional Facility did not receive proper observation checks while incarcerated.
“The Adams County Sheriff’s Office required that our Corrections Officers adhere to a high standard of professionalism. Compliance with ACSO policies and procedures is one very important expectation that must be met,” the release stated.
The release further expleined that observation checks are “designed for the safety of inmates, staff, and civilians who enter the facility,” noting that the officers involved were immediately placed on administrative leave.
Dick also explained that he decided an outside agency should lead the investigation into whether criminal charges are warranted.
“On July 28, 2026, criminal charges were filed in the Adams County Court pertaining to this incident,” said Dick. The ACSO must defer to the criminal prosecution process and will not have further comment until the conclusion of such prosecution.”
The Clermont County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) has been asked to conduct an independent investigation into these allegations.
The CCSO noted that Clermont County Sheriff Chris Stratton has assigned an investigator to the case, explaining that the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office has been appointed to assist in the investigation and prosecution because the Adams County Prosecutor’s Office has recused itself.
According to the CCSO, between April 17-20, 2026, corrections officers Terry Akers, 40; Danny Kiskadden, 36; Chad Stanforth, 41; and Kiara Williams, 21 were on duty at the Adams County Jail.
“The investigation determined that on April 14, 2026, jail staff removed an inmate from his assigned housing unit and placed him in a holding cell within the jail’s booking area after he allegedly had become combative with both staff and fellow inmates and expressing concerns for his own safety,” explained the CCSO.
The CCSO stated that on April 15, jail staff noticed a change in the inmate’s behavior, whereupon he was transported to the Adams County Regional Medical Center. Upon his release from the Medical Center, the inmate was returned to the same holding cell he had been transported to the previous day, where he allegedly remained until April 20.
“At approximately 6:45 a.m. on April 20, jail supervisors found the inmate unresponsive inside the holding cell,” the CCSO stated. “Emergency Medical Services responded to the jail and transported the inmate again to Adams County Regional Medical Center. He was later transferred to Mercy Hospital Anderson for further medical treatment.”
The CCSO further alleged that each corrections officer has been charged with one count of dereliction of duty, a second-degree misdemeanor. Officer Williams was additionally charged with one count of falsification, a first-degree misdemeanor, after it was discovered that she had allegedly falsified jail log entries.
“Any additional inquiries about the above charges or the investigation should be directed to the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office at (513) 261-1325,” the CCSO concluded.