Lois Laroe’s nightmare is finally making waves in places she never imagined; the Daily Mail, MSN, and Yahoo News have all amplified her story. Hundreds of thousands of readers now know that in Ionia County, Michigan, an elderly woman has spent years being terrorized by reckless gunfire and explosions and suffered significant acoustic trauma, all because Ionia township officials and law enforcement refuse to enforce basic laws against her neighbor, Casey Wagner, Michigan DOC Employee.
Every gunshot is painful, worsening her medical condition, and begging the question of why Elderly or Disability Rights advocacy groups were not contacted and to this day, are not involved.
But there’s even more that the headlines haven’t yet covered: the hidden mental health crisis that Casey’s violence has created and the local power connections that keep Lois trapped in this living hell.
When Your Home Becomes a War Zone
For months, Lois’ mental health care team from Ionia County’s The Right Door has refused to come to her home.
Why? It’s too dangerous.
I asked Lois more about this, and what she told me is absolutely heartbreaking:
My support person is not allowed to come to my home because of Casey’s behavior and for safety reasons with the explosives and gunfire. My counselor can’t treat my PTSD because of the ongoing shooting and explosives. Her boss told her that she wasn’t allowed.
Imagine living with PTSD, profound hearing loss, and constant fear, only to be told by the very people who should help you that they’re too afraid to come to your home to help you. That’s what Lois faces every day because explosions, gunfire, and intimidation are her normal.
This isn’t a failing of Lois. It’s a catastrophic failure of local leadership and accountability….And once again, it gets worse.
Following the Connections
There are troubling connections between the agency that’s supposed to protect her, and those who have been complicit in creating her medical ailments.
- Amanda, the woman dating Casey, works for the same mental health agency that Lois depends on: The Right Door.
- Amanda’s father, Ionia County Commissioner David Hodges, sits on the board that oversees that agency. Something that according to Ionia County records, he receives per diems for.
So while Lois is forced to go without in-home treatment for her trauma, treatment she’s entitled to, the people who both create and excuse the danger are deeply embedded in the very system that’s supposed to protect her.
To is unknown whether The Right Door has ever contacted senior services or any agencies that could further protect Lois, or whether the Sheriff’s Office has been in contact with Lois’ provider based on her own experiences. This is unfortunate, as she could be a powerful witness, and provide expert as well as first hand testimony on Casey’s abusive behavior.
Additionally, Lois’ counselor is a Mandated Reporter, and should have filed police complaints regarding Lois’ safety.
But sadly, when conflicts of interest run this deep, it’s no wonder everyday people like Lois get left behind.
Once again, one must wonder if Ionia County cares about its most vulnerable. If Veterans living in the area also suffer from PTSD, Ionia County is quickly becoming a place they would not want to call home, as they would not receive any protection or enforcement of the ordinances in place.
The next logical step for Lois, is legal action.
National Headlines, Local Silence
Lois’ story is now international news.
But where is the action? Where are the local leaders demanding that township officials do their jobs? Where is the local prosecutor? Where is the accountability for the powerful people who let this happen for years?
What Comes Next
Lois’ fight shouldn’t just be a passing headline. It should be a rallying cry.
- If you live in Ionia County, speak up. Demand answers from your township, your county board, and your local mental health agency.
- If you see corruption and conflicts of interest, bring them up at Board meetings and demand better of your leaders. Share your stories with Clutch.
- Sign Lois’ petition and share it so it can’t be ignored.
When you shine a light on broken systems, you don’t just help Lois; you help every vulnerable person who’s one bad neighbor away from losing everything.
