Allegations:
Molina was a well-known community and political activist who criticized civil rights violations committed by the Chicago Police Department. Her children also worked with her as community activists to support the rights of criminal suspects and defendants in police custody. In May 2004, Molina was at home visiting with Guzman, her son's fiancée, when officers raided her apartment. Molina and her son, Michael Ortiz, were arrested after officers falsely claimed to find illegal drugs in their possession. Ortiz was also accused of holding plastic explosives, which were in fact compounds used for drywall installation. All of the charges against Ortiz were later dropped after the officers admitted they recovered no illegal substances or other contraband. After the raid, Guzman was instructed to leave and not bother to look for her purse, which contained nearly $400 in cash; she had another $2,000 locked for safekeeping in Molina's apartment. Later, when Guzman returned, the money from her purse was gone, as was the $2,000, which she had saved over time to rent a new apartment. Molina, who suffered from various medical conditions, was handcuffed to her wheelchair and taken to a police station where she was booked and taken into custody. Her daughter, April Ortiz, arrived that evening and asked if she could deliver medication for Molina, who had ailments including a thyroid condition, asthma and diabetes. Despite her insistence, April Ortiz's request was denied. Some hours later, Molina's attorney went to visit her in the lockup. Seeing that she was unwell, he advised that Molina be taken to the hospital. No officers complied with this request for medical attention, and eight hours later, Molina died in her cell. Officers prolonged Michael Ortiz's detention, causing him to miss his mother's funeral.