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SOUTH BEND, Ind. — REAL News Michiana has learned at least seven overdose deaths have been associated with the “low-barrier” Motels4Now homeless shelter in just a little more than three years of operating. RNM was able to confirm these numbers through public records provided by the St. Joseph County Coroner’s Office. However, there could be MANY more, as the reports only show where someone died and not where the overdose initially occurred — meaning anyone who potentially overdosed at Motels4Now and subsequently died at the hospital is not included in these numbers.
While Motels4Now Director Sheila McCarthy has claimed only five “clients” have died from overdoses, she failed to mention a visitor to the homeless shelter and a man who “graduated” from the program also perished from drug overdoses. Below is a breakdown of those who died from drug overdoses as a result of the failed Motels4Now program.
Mac. A. Nelson, 42, died from a Fentanyl and Methamphetamine overdose on 7/15/2020.
Travis Nelson, 26, died from a Fentanyl overdose on 3/31/2021.
Prentiss M. Wright, 52, died from a Fentanyl and Cocaine overdose on 10/10/2021.
Kevin Taylor, 58, died from a Cocaine overdose on 01/29/23.
Timothy Dooley, 63, died from a suspected Cocaine overdose on 02/18/23. Dooley had “graduated” from the Motels4Now program and was living in another transitional housing facility called the Catherine Griffin House.
Amy Marie Young, 42, died from a Fentanyl and Methamphetamine overdose on 5/7/2023. Young was found dead on the property but did not live there and appears to have either been visiting a friend or went to Motels4Now to purchase the drugs that killed her.
Nathan Lewis, 46, died from a Fentanyl overdose on 9/22/23.
HOTBED FOR CRIME
In January of last year, an RNM investigation uncovered major crime and drug problems with the Motels4Now program. A public records request by REAL News Michiana discovered the “low-barrier” facility has been the scene of countless drug overdoses, thefts and batteries, while purporting to be helping those most in need in our community. Records show more than 1,300 calls for service to the location since opening in the middle of 2020. Several businesses have also closed down or moved because of the issues brought by the program — including a McDonalds.
In 2022 alone, police were called to the Motels4Now property for the following crimes:
Assault: 17 Calls
Theft: 15 Calls
Disturbance: 15 Calls
Overdose: 14 Calls
Threat: 10 Calls
Suspicious Activity: 8 Calls
Fighting: 4 Calls
Burglary: 3 Calls
Weapons: 3 Calls
Shots Fired: 3 Calls
Harassment: 3 Calls
Vandalism: 2 Calls
Stabbing: 1 Call
Sex Assault: 1 Call
Drugs: 1 Call
The criminal impact just off the property has also been of major concern. Last year, RNM published a story about a single mother having to hold one man from the facility at gunpoint when he attempted to break into her home.
In a typical circumstance, a property like this would be considered a “nuisance property” facing several costly fines with the potential of being shut down. Motels 4 Now has received no such citations.
HOUSING OUT-OF-TOWN SEX OFFENDERS
A REAL News Michiana investigation earlier this month discovered the embattled Motels4Now homeless initiative is also currently housing five sex offenders well within 1,000 feet of a large daycare facility, which is a violation of Indiana law. The program also employs another convicted sex offender.
According to a simple satellite search, the Motels4Now property located at at old Knights Inn at 3233 Lincoln Way West in South Bend is within 500 feet of the Raising Kings and Queens Daycare Ministry. It is also within 650 feet of St. John the Baptist Catholic School.
According to the Indiana Sex Offender Registry, one sex offender is from Allen County, one is from Michigan and two are from Elkhart County. Only two of the sex offender residents at Motels4Now are from St. Joseph County. REAL News Michiana has put together a photo gallery of all of the sex offenders, the sex crimes they were convicted of and where their conviction occurred.
SOUTH BEND LOOKS TO EXPAND MOTELS4NOW
Despite the laundry lists of problems associated with the Motels4Now program, the City of South Bend is looking to expand it with a new facility that will be renamed the “New Day Intake Center.” The new facility would be located on a piece of property off of Bendix Drive just north of the South Bend Community School Corporation’s school bus garage. The parcel is currently owned by the South Bend Community School Corporation.
Plans for the new facility started to come to light during a South Bend Community School Corporation Board meeting late last month where the school board voted to approve the sale of the plot to the City. The next step was to have the South Bend Redevelopment Commission approve the purchase at a meeting just days later on January 25th.
While city officials did not notify any of the stakeholders of the plan or meeting, Republican County Council Members and County Commissioners caught wind last month and made notifications to as many business owners as they could — mounting an overwhelming opposing presence at at the Redevelopment Commission meeting. Members of the commission then voted unanimously to table the issue to a later date. The commission then met again last week where they approved the purchase of the land in a 4-1 vote. Only Redevelopment Commissioner Eli Wax voted against the proposal.
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Hey Clifton, Just an observation: You’ve got two different photos labeled “Travis Nelson”, and none labeled “Mac A Nelson”…I knew you were human. Love ya man.