Marisa Kwiatkowski
USA TODAY
United States
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Past articles by Marisa:
Their adoptions broke. Their lives fractured. Now they strive to make things better for others.
Tens of thousands of children have suffered the collapse of their birth and adoptive families. These adoptees used that as fuel to improve the system. → Read More
'Cheer' star Jerry Harris sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for sex crimes
Jerry Harris admitted soliciting sex from minors and pressuring young boys to send him nude photos and videos. → Read More
‘You don’t give up on family’: Adoptive parents’ quest to help foster daughter meets tragic end
Mark and Tina Chase had waited for the day their foster daughter Becca would legally become theirs. When that day came, it wasn’t what they’d planned. → Read More
How adoptees, parents can access adoption support groups and mental health services
Parents who have adopted internationally or privately have fewer options if things go wrong. These mental health and support group resources can help. → Read More
Inside the USA TODAY investigation into Jerry Harris as 'Cheer' season 2 makes Netflix debut
A fans of 'Cheer' prepare to watch season 2 on Netflix, Jerry Harris remains in custody facing charges of sexual misconduct involving teens. → Read More
Former U.S. attorney steps in to help FBI agent accused of botching Larry Nassar case
USA TODAY asked four government ethics experts to examine whether former U.S. attorney Josh Minkler is in violation of state or federal ethics rules. → Read More
Two more cheerleaders linked to Netflix's 'Cheer' charged with sexual misconduct with minors
Robert Scianna Jr. and Mitchell Ryan were arrested this week — nearly five months after the arrest of 'Cheer' star Jerry Harris on similar charges. → Read More
Two more cheerleaders linked to Netflix's 'Cheer' charged with sexual misconduct with minors
Robert Scianna Jr. and Mitchell Ryan were arrested this week — nearly five months after the arrest of 'Cheer' star Jerry Harris on similar charges. → Read More
A 2009 warning about right-wing extremism was engulfed by politics. There are signs it’s happening again.
Then and now, politics in Washington and rightwing media narrative spin push back against efforts to stamp out domestic terrorism and white supremacy. → Read More
A sex offender tricked cheerleading officials by having a relative register her gym. Then, she got away with it again.
The U.S. All Star Federation declined to answer questions about why it allowed a cheerleading gym it had banned to regain membership. → Read More
‘Cheer’ star Jerry Harris was warned before child porn arrest by the owner of a gym featured on ‘AGT,’ lawsuit claims
Cheer Athletics co-owner Angela Rogers warned 'Cheer' star Jerry Harris about a possible investigation into his conduct, according to a lawsuit. → Read More
'A significant danger': Jerry Harris from 'Cheer' will remain behind bars while awaiting trial on child pornography charge
A federal judge said Jerry Harris lacks control over his urges and poses "a significant danger to the community." → Read More
Trump claims he got COVID-19 from Gold Star event; evidence shows he probably was already sick by then
President Trump implied he caught the coronavirus at a ceremony for fallen soldiers. It’s more likely he exposed the military families to the virus. → Read More
Cheerleading has a list of people banned from the sport. It was missing 74 convicted sex offenders.
A USA TODAY investigation uncovered examples of people who continued working in cheer after being accused or convicted of crimes involving minors. → Read More
Jerry Harris from ‘Cheer’ charged with producing child pornography
Jerry Harris has been under investigation by the FBI for soliciting photos and sex from minors, multiple sources told USA TODAY. → Read More
Jerry Harris from ‘Cheer’ under FBI investigation for allegedly soliciting sex from minors
Cheerleader Jerry Harris, who was featured in Netflix’s “Cheer,” is under FBI investigation and a search warrant has been executed. → Read More
$1,200 coronavirus 'Control Chamber': Eldercare homes levy steep fees amid pandemic
In at least eight states, attorneys general or long-term care ombudsman have received complaints about unfair billing practices by facilities. → Read More
$1,200 coronavirus 'Control Chamber': Eldercare homes levy steep fees amid pandemic
In at least eight states, attorneys general or long-term care ombudsman have received complaints about unfair billing practices by facilities. → Read More
More than 40,000 coronavirus deaths tied to US nursing homes
The Feb. 29 death of a Washington state nursing home resident signaled a warning to long-term care facilities throughout the country. The coronavirus was no longer a specter; it was here and it could sweep through a vulnerable population, leaving a trail of grief.Yet facilities and government leaders were still unprepared for the onslaught of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Dozens more would die at… → Read More
More than 40,000 coronavirus deaths tied to US nursing homes
The Feb. 29 death of a Washington state nursing home resident signaled a warning to long-term care facilities throughout the country. The coronavirus was no longer a specter; it was here and it could sweep through a vulnerable population, leaving a trail of grief.Yet facilities and government leaders were still unprepared for the onslaught of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Dozens more would die at… → Read More