Mary Claire Molloy
@mcmolloy.bsky.social
410 followers 99 following 47 posts
Health reporter for Mirror Indy. Words in Washington Post, USA Today. Reach me 💌 [email protected]
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mcmolloy.bsky.social
NEW: Mirror Indy uncovers widespread allegations of sex abuse at Options Behavioral Health Hospital, operated by Acadia Healthcare.

Former employees told me the cases are a symptom of a company culture that places profits over patients🧵
Reposted by Mary Claire Molloy
mirrorindy.org
After initially proposing a $100,000 budget cut to Indy’s immigrant legal services fund, Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration decided to restore the funding.

Mirror Indy’s @mcmolloy.bsky.social first reported the proposed budget cut in August: https://bit.ly/4pEfcmB
Funding cut to Indy’s immigrant legal defense fund is reversed
Plus: Despite ICE concerns, the sheriff’s budget also passed out of committee.
bit.ly
mcmolloy.bsky.social
As COVID-19 vaccine recommendations change under RFK Jr.’s leadership, we have a guide for Indiana patients about this year’s shot.

So if you’re wondering who’s eligible and what’s required, check out @mirrorindy.org:

mirrorindy.org/indiana-covi...
A guide for getting the COVID-19 vaccine in Indiana
As medical groups protest, new federal recommendations are changing eligibility.
mirrorindy.org
mcmolloy.bsky.social
For a year, @mirrorindy.org has investigated abuse allegations at Options Behavioral Health.

Patients held against their will for insurance money. Widespread sex abuse. No 911 call for a hurt child.

Now, the Acadia Healthcare facility is shutting down.

mirrorindy.org/options-beha...
After years of abuse allegations, Options Behavioral Health is shutting down
The Acadia Healthcare facility has been at the center of several lawsuits and a Mirror Indy investigation.
mirrorindy.org
mcmolloy.bsky.social
As the Trump admin continues mass deportations, 700+ immigrants have been detained in Indy’s jail this year.

Sheriff Kerry Forestal says he is upholding the law. Indiana’s Attorney General threatened to sue those who don’t comply.

Read more in @mirrorindy.org:

mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...
Indy Democrats clash with sheriff over holding ICE detainees in the jail
Some councilors threatened to withhold their vote for his annual budget.
mirrorindy.org
mcmolloy.bsky.social
Last night, Indy Democrats clashed with the sheriff over his decision to house ICE detainees in the local jail.

Yes, those are skeletons you’re seeing.

“We brought the spines because it’s unclear if the sheriff has the ability to stand up for the community,” a protestor said.
mcmolloy.bsky.social
Indiana is celebrating its lowest infant mortality rate in history.

But advocates worry the number won’t hold after the state’s massive public health cuts.

In an interview with Mirror Indy, Gov. Mike Braun stopped short of promising to restore the Health First Indiana funding.
mcmolloy.bsky.social
This is Jaime Passillas, a high school senior from Indianapolis.

He wants to become a lawyer. When he was 6, his mom brought him here from Mexico.

He was arrested for shoplifting $48.81 at Walmart. He has no prior criminal record.

Trump wants to deport him.

mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...
The scramble to save an Indy teen from deportation before graduation
The IPS senior spent weeks in ICE detention after shoplifting at Walmart.
mirrorindy.org
mcmolloy.bsky.social
State lawmakers cut public health funding in Indianapolis by 70%.

The money was from Health First Indiana, a bipartisan initiative to improve things like vaccinations and maternal health.

Now, local health depts are losing millions for programs they just started.

mirrorindy.org/indiana-legi...
Indiana made an unprecedented investment in public health. It’s being cut already.
Indy’s department will only get $6 million to improve vaccinations and maternal health — a 70% cut.
mirrorindy.org
mcmolloy.bsky.social
Advocates called on Indy’s sheriff to end the agreement with ICE.

“Other sheriffs around the state are not doing this,” said Rev. Carolyn Higginbotham. “He’s making a choice. And we think it’s the wrong one for the safety of our community.”

Read the full story:

mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...
How the Marion County Jail became a ‘pit stop’ for 400 ICE detainees
Even Democratic-run Indianapolis is part of Trump’s ‘largest deportation program.’
mirrorindy.org
mcmolloy.bsky.social
Local immigration attorneys say Indy’s jail is part of a growing network meant to help ICE deport people faster than before.

Trump’s ICE director has said he wants the process to be like “Amazon Prime, but with human beings.”

There are worries about due process.
mcmolloy.bsky.social
It pays $75 per day for each person detained.

That’s double what the state pays the jail to hold its prisoners. And the sheriff’s office is under increasing financial pressure, expecting to lose millions this years.

Forestal called ICE’s payments “more appropriate.”
mcmolloy.bsky.social
🧵 Most people appear to be detained in Indy’s jail for immigration status alone.

Sheriff Kerry Forestal, a Democrat, says he is following the law. Advocates say he is going beyond what is required.

They point to a contract with the federal gov. the sheriff can terminate.

But he hasn’t.
mcmolloy.bsky.social
NEW: Trump has promised the “largest deportation program” in U.S. history.

Even Democratic-controlled Indianapolis is playing along.

The local jail has held more than 400 people from 29 countries detained by ICE this year.

mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...
mcmolloy.bsky.social
Like Paula, a dreamer who crossed the border when she was 6 years old, carrying her family’s documents in a Winnie the Pooh backpack.

Or Juan, who recently played Jesus in his church’s Good Friday performance.

Read their stories in Spanish and English: mirrorindy.org/inmigrantes-...
mcmolloy.bsky.social
Trump has promised the largest deportation in U.S. history.

Here in Indianapolis, we spent time getting to know our Mexican immigrant neighbors — asking them what this moment feels like.

People of all statuses shared their hopes and fears.

mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...
mcmolloy.bsky.social
Big week for Mirror Indy!

“Out of Options,” a series from me and @jennarwatson.bsky.social exposing abuse at a local mental health facility won Story of the Year and the top prize in a new investigative category.

Thank you to SPJ Indiana for the honor.

mirrorindy.org/indiana-best...
mcmolloy.bsky.social
Thank you for coming forward and sharing your story with us and the community
mcmolloy.bsky.social
In the wake of our last story, the facility’s clinical director resigned and a local prosecutor called for an investigation into Options and its parent company, Acadia Healthcare.

Thank you to @healthjournalism.org for the recognition.

Read the full series here:

mirrorindy.org/out-of-optio...
Out of Options
Mirror Indy investigates widespread allegations of abuse at Options Behavioral Health Hospital: Patients held against their will. No therapy. Sex abuse. Employees struggling to contain the chaos.
mirrorindy.org
mcmolloy.bsky.social
Excited to share Mirror Indy has won its first national award!

It’s for Out of Options, an investigation from me and @jennarwatson.bsky.social into allegations of sex abuse and patients being held against their will at a local mental health facility.

mirrorindy.org/ahcj-2024-aw...
Mirror Indy recognized for investigative journalism
The newsroom won an investigative award in the 2024 Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism.
mirrorindy.org
Reposted by Mary Claire Molloy
byryanmartin.bsky.social
"A movement heralded by RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz finds an ally in Indiana." mirrorindy.org/indiana-gove...

🖊️ @mcmolloy.bsky.social
📷 Richard Sitler
mcmolloy.bsky.social
The “Make America Healthy Again” movement has come to Indiana, heralded by RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz.

The state may be the first to ban people on SNAP from buying candy and soda. There’s also fights over Medicaid and vaccine misinformation.

Read more here:

mirrorindy.org/indiana-gove...
SNAP, soda and cuts: Inside the fight to ‘Make Indiana Healthy Again’
A movement heralded by RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz finds an ally in Indiana.
mirrorindy.org
mcmolloy.bsky.social
Inbox ✉️: RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz will be visiting Indianapolis tomorrow for a press conference with Gov. Mike Braun.

They’re announcing a “Make Indiana Healthy Again Intiative.”

I’ll be covering this for Mirror Indy tomorrow.
mcmolloy.bsky.social
Trans Hoosiers can’t update their birth certificates after Trump and Braun’s executive orders.

“They’re trying to legislate me out of existence,” said Zoey Faegrin. She carries a court order in her purse, but it hasn’t been honored.

Full story in Mirror Indy:

mirrorindy.org/indiana-tran...
Trans Hoosiers’ documents in limbo after Trump’s and Braun’s executive orders
“I’m scared,” said one Indy resident who can’t update their birth record despite a court order.
mirrorindy.org