The Deliverance true story: Where is Latoya Ammons now?

As a long-time fan of horror movies and someone who appreciates stories based on real events, I was captivated by “The Deliverance” from the moment I heard about it. The blend of supernatural elements with the struggles of a woman fighting against seemingly insurmountable odds drew me in immediately.


The streaming service Netflix’s show, titled “The Deliverance“, appears to be based on genuinely alarming real-life incidents and the experiences of Latoya Ammons.

In a fresh setting, the chilling tale unfolds around Ebony Jackson, portrayed by Andra Day, a devoted single parent, along with her mother Berta, played by Glenn Close. As they settle into their new abode, peculiar incidents begin to unsettle them.

Given the suspicion of Child Protective Services that this might be a situation of domestic abuse, Ebony must devise a strategy to safeguard her children Shante (Demi Singleton), Nate (Caleb McLaughlin from Stranger Things), and Dre (Anthony B Jenkins) from the impending danger threatening them.

The film drew inspiration from Ammons’ tale, but Director Lee Daniels utilized a lot of artistic freedom, resulting in a unique story of his own creation.

The Deliverance true story: Where is Latoya Ammons now?

The Deliverance true story

In November 2011, Latoya Ammons, accompanied by her mother, Rose Campbell, and their three kids aged 7, 9, and 12, relocated to a new residence in Gary, Indiana.

As the days went by, I started experiencing some peculiar happenings – faint echoes of footsteps resonating from below, ghostly silhouettes lurking about the house, and mysterious boot marks treading across the kitchen floor.

In a 2014 article by the Indianapolis Star, it was recounted that the family remembered finding flies all around and noticing the sound of a door creaking as it opened between the basement and the kitchen, according to an extensive 800-page report which included over a dozen interviews with police officers, psychologists, relatives, and a Catholic priest.

Additionally, Ammons recounted observing her kids floating over their beds, being hurt by mysterious flying items, and uttering unusual sounds.

The Deliverance true story: Where is Latoya Ammons now?

By March 2012, the purported instances of supernatural phenomena had grown to such an extent that Ammons and her mother felt compelled to seek assistance from nearby religious institutions. However, the majority of these institutions declined their request for aid.

Eventually, a church representative consented to pay them a visit and suggested sanitizing their home using bleach and ammonia to banish any lingering spirits. They also applied oil to mark crosses on all doors, windows, and even the children’s foreheads. A psychic advised the family to establish an altar in their basement as well, with a Bible left open to Psalm 91.

These measures lasted only three days before the possessions started again.

An Indianapolis Star report details various strange occurrences that took place over the subsequent days and weeks, including children experiencing sensations as if they were being strangled by something unseen, as well as the youngest child engaging in discussions about mortality with a supposed spirit lurking within a wardrobe.

Occasionally, due to unbearable nights, the family had to seek shelter at a hotel; however, they found themselves unable to relocate due to their challenging financial circumstances, as reported by the source.

The Deliverance true story: Where is Latoya Ammons now?

The Deliverance was inspired by these events, but the story leaves some alleged incidents out.

In my own words, here’s how I would rephrase it: “My family’s visit to Dr. Geoffrey Onyeukwu turned out to be quite chaotic. It was reported that my kids were speaking in strange, almost demonic tones, and their behavior grew more hostile as time went on. This escalated to the point where someone felt compelled to call the police.”

At approximately the same period, an investigator from Indiana’s Child Services Department, Valerie Washington, initiated an inquiry into a suspected instance of child abuse and neglect, prompted by an anonymous report.

The Deliverance true story: Where is Latoya Ammons now?

Later on, Ammons contacted a local clergyman, Reverend Michael Maginot, who, following a thorough examination of the case, conducted three exorcisms at his Merrillville church in June 2012, and blessed the home to drive away any malevolent spirits.

During their shared exploration, they uncovered that the malevolent entities tormenting them had specific identities, among them Beelzebub and other demons infamous for causing pain and distress to children. This discovery, according to Ammons, shed light on everything that had been transpiring within her family.

“The story sort of sat with me for forever,” director Lee Daniels told The Hollywood Reporter.

“For the first time, we witnessed this story from the perspective of an African American woman on screen, which left me feeling that our current era is incredibly bleak and many may underestimate its severity. In such times, I felt the need to rekindle my spiritual connection to a higher power.”

The Deliverance true story: Where is Latoya Ammons now?

Where is Latoya Ammons now?

Following her separation from her children and after Reverend Maginot conducted the exorcisms, Latoya Ammons returned to Indianapolis, leaving her previous residence.

In November 2012, Ammons successfully reclaimed guardianship of her trio of children. The Department of Child Services continued monitoring their well-being regularly for over a year, ensuring everything was in order, before finally closing the case.

As I closed the game, The Deliverance left me with a chilling tidbit about the spooky mansion from the movie: “That house stood empty until it was flattened in 2016. To this very day, eerie happenings are said to persist around the premises.”

At the conclusion, there’s a photograph of Latoya Ammons, yet it doesn’t provide any information about her current location or situation.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Director Lee Daniels mentioned that he had conversations with Ammons and her family while working on the production of the movie.

From the start, her kindness stood out. It was my rendition of her life narrative that I had crafted. Initially, I was apprehensive and chose not to meet her face-to-face. However, we exchanged a few words in the beginning, perhaps only once or twice. She is delightful and radiated tranquility.

“In my story, I slightly altered the character’s background by making her mother Caucasian. This decision comes from my personal experiences with diverse friends, as I wanted to explore the unique challenges of growing up as a Black girl with a white mother. Additionally, I changed the gender of the deliverance figure in my narrative; he is now a man rather than a woman.”

“However, numerous unrecognized women also perform this task. To ensure my narrative stood out, I made certain adjustments while preserving their identities. I aimed to create a unique tale by separating elements as much as possible.”

The Deliverance is now available to watch on Netflix.

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2024-09-02 17:49

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