Mary Claire Molloy

The growing backlash to Indiana’s baby box empire Monica Kelsey says her devices save lives. Critics say they’re unsafe — and not a solution for moms in crisis.

The growing backlash to Indiana’s baby box empire

by @mcmolloy.bsky.social
Photos for @mirrorindy.org by Brett Phelps.

mirrorindy.org/indiana-safe...

As ICE rumors swirl, Indy residents organize Advocates are verifying sightings, protesting and checking on neighbors.

In Indianapolis, teachers are checking for unmarked vans. Students are walking out. Neighbors are learning how to document ICE activity.

Online rumors are fueling concerns about a federal surge here. Either way, people are preparing.

For @mirrorindy.org:

mirrorindy.org/ice-indianap...

Indiana’s needle exchanges are on the chopping block Lawmakers will decide whether to continue a program curbing infections and overdoses.

Marion County’s needle exchange program is a public health success story.

It will be gone by July if lawmakers don’t pass this bill.

✍️ @mcmolloy.bsky.social
📸 @jennarwatson.bsky.social

mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

How an anonymous text service could prevent Indy’s next overdose Overdose Lifeline sends alerts about drug seizures, laced batches and resources.

There’s a new text group in Indy working to prevent the city’s next overdose.

The nonprofit Overdose Lifeline sends out alerts when drugs are seized or there’s a bad batch (ex: laced with fentanyl).

Then, they’re on the scene with Narcan.

More in @mirrorindy.org:

mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

A week without SNAP: How one Indy family made it through Richelle Williams and her kids stretched meals, skipped the roller rink and prayed.

This is Richelle Williams and her three kids. They just went a week without SNAP.

To make it through gov. shutdown, the Indianapolis family stretched meals, skipped the roller rink and prayed.

Dispatches from their dinner table: mirrorindy.org/indiana-snap...

Indy is giving 100 moms $20k each to support their birth journeys Monthly stipends will go to families living in areas with the most infant deaths.

In Indy, 100 pregnant women are about to get $20k each over the course of three years.

They can spend the money on whatever they choose. The program will support families living in areas with the most infant deaths.

@mirrorindy.org has info on applying: mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

SCOOP: ICE has been quietly using the Indianapolis airport to fly out detainees since early July.

@mirrorindy.org witnessed dozens of people in handcuffs boarding an Oct.24 flight to Alexandria, Louisiana - a major deportation hub.

mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

Hoosiers brace for soaring health care costs amid government shutdown Congress has not extended subsidies for marketplace insurance plans.

300,000 Hoosiers are on Obamacare. Soon, many could be priced out and uninsured.

That’s because Congress, amid a gov. shutdown, hasn’t extended subsidies that help people afford plans. And insurance companies are raising their premiums by 20% next year.

mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

Your redistricting questions, answered Mirror Indy readers had questions about redistricting. Here are the answers.

Indiana redistricting!

You asked, we answered.

mirrorindy.org/indiana-redi...

Funding cut to Indy’s immigrant legal defense fund is reversed Plus: Despite ICE concerns, the sheriff’s budget also passed out of committee.

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

A guide for getting the COVID-19 vaccine in Indiana As medical groups protest, new federal recommendations are changing eligibility.

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...

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.

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...

Indy Democrats clash with sheriff over holding ICE detainees in the jail Some councilors threatened to withhold their vote for his annual budget.

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...

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.

Indiana’s infant mortality rate has improved. Will it hold with health cuts? Gov. Mike Braun addressed the cuts during a health symposium this week.

Full story here: mirrorindy.org/mike-braun-i...

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.

The scramble to save an Indy teen from deportation before graduation The IPS senior spent weeks in ICE detention after shoplifting at Walmart.

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...

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.

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...

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.’

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...

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.

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.”

🧵 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.

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...

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-...

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...

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...

Thank you for coming forward and sharing your story with us and the community

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.

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...

Mirror Indy recognized for investigative journalism The newsroom won an investigative award in the 2024 Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism.

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...

"A movement heralded by RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz finds an ally in Indiana." mirrorindy.org/indiana-gove...

🖊️ @mcmolloy.bsky.social
📷 Richard Sitler