Daniela Molina
Investigative Producer
Miami, Florida
Daniela Molina is a bilingual investigative journalist who has great interest in trafficking and health care stories. Throughout her time at InvestigateTV she has uncovered nursing home abuse, desecration of Black cemeteries, lack of updated emergency medical kits on airlines and has exposed secrecy in military medical malpractice. Daniela Molina also has a Spanish financial consumer segment called “Cuidando Su Billetera” that airs on Gray Media Group's Telemundo stations.
Education
Updated: Sep. 9, 2024 at 12:05 PM EDT
|By Daniela Molina, Rachel DePompa, Brandon Wissbaum and Geneva Smith
Cardiac arrest is the top cause of death among young athletes in the U.S. However InvestigateTV found that not all schools across the country don't carry automated external defibrillators.
Updated: Jul. 29, 2024 at 1:09 PM EDT
|By Daniela Molina and Rachel DePompa
As automobiles grow more advanced, privacy concerns arise over whether car makers use your vehicle’s data to for third-party sales
Updated: Jul. 22, 2024 at 2:35 PM EDT
|By Joce Sterman, Daniela Molina and Jamie Grey
InvestigateTV discovered this industry is operating in a medical gray area, with numerous questions being raised about treatments, sanitation and oversight.
Updated: Jun. 30, 2024 at 8:21 PM EDT
|By Joce Sterman and Daniela Molina
Chief medical officer says the Defense Health Agency has been transparent about doctors who caused harm while still shielding their names
Updated: Jun. 24, 2024 at 11:09 AM EDT
|By Joce Sterman and Daniela Molina
The fight for transparency continues for military families concerned about problematic medical providers.
Updated: May. 20, 2024 at 11:37 AM EDT
|By Daniela Molina, Rachel DePompa, Jill Riepenhoff and Geneva Smith
All-Terrain Vehicles and Side by Sides send about 100,000 Americans to the emergency room every year. Children under the age of 16 riding ATVs have the highest risk for death.
Updated: May. 3, 2024 at 4:12 PM EDT
|By Caresse Jackman and Daniela Molina
The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk for his signature
Updated: Apr. 22, 2024 at 11:58 AM EDT
|By Caresse Jackman, Daniela Molina and Owen Hornstein
States worry that the proposed rule to remove lead-tainted water pipes by October 16 is unrealistic.
Updated: Mar. 18, 2024 at 5:09 PM EDT
|By Joce Sterman, Daniela Molina and Jill Riepenhoff
The DOD paid out nearly $1 billion in claims, but providers often show clean public disciplinary record
Updated: Mar. 11, 2024 at 11:08 AM EDT
|By Daniela Molina, Rachel DePompa and Daniel Heffner
The solar eclipse of 2024 is quickly approaching. April 8th is the day to look up to experience a solar eclipse or partial eclipse, depending on where you live. But to do that NASA says you need special glasses to protect your eyes. And Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa found out, you also need to be very careful about what you buy and where you buy those solar glasses to avoid being duped right before the event.
Updated: Feb. 29, 2024 at 11:23 AM EST
|By Caresse Jackman and Daniela Molina
Congress has not given any money to support a law passed to protect, fund and preserve African American burial grounds
Updated: Jan. 8, 2024 at 12:12 PM EST
|By Daniela Molina and Rachel DePompa
At least 54 million U.S. adults have been in credit card debt for the last year according to a new study, and some might still be paying off debt they accumulated during the holidays last year. Credit card balances are increasing faster than any other type of debt – putting consumers in vulnerable positions. But government agencies are warning of a new scam with credit debt relief programs convincing consumers that they can fix their problem by just paying a small “fee”.
Updated: Dec. 11, 2023 at 12:30 PM EST
|By Joce Sterman and Daniela Molina
Medical advocates call for reforms of regulations allowing dentists to put patients under anesthesia while also handling the surgery at the same time
Updated: Nov. 20, 2023 at 6:29 PM EST
|By Caresse Jackman and Daniela Molina
For members of the Black community, maintaining the upkeep and maintenance of the final resting place of their ancestors has remained a hurdle, mystery, and a fight for generations.
Updated: Nov. 6, 2023 at 2:07 PM EST
|By Joce Sterman and Daniela Molina
A months-long InvestigateTV examination of dental board records from across the nation found that rather than facing serious consequences in egregious situations, some dentists are given a pass
Five Star Fakes: Federal government proposes new rule to hold companies accountable for fake reviews
Updated: Oct. 23, 2023 at 12:17 PM EDT
|By Daniela Molina and Rachel DePompa
The federal government is looking to crack down on fake reviews for products and services you buy online. The Federal Trade Commission is proposing a new rule to help consumers make better decisions.
Updated: Oct. 16, 2023 at 3:27 PM EDT
|By Joce Sterman and Daniela Molina
So-called “skill games” have popped up in bars, convenience stores and gas stations across the country. They look and sound just like slot machines, but they’re largely unregulated, operating in a gray area.
Updated: Oct. 9, 2023 at 1:44 PM EDT
|By Caresse Jackman and Daniela Molina
African American burial grounds across the nation constantly face dangers of being erased or destroyed by development.
Updated: Aug. 7, 2023 at 1:29 PM EDT
|By Daniela Molina, Rachel DePompa and Payton Romans
Hospitals across the country are supposed to post their prices online to make it easier for consumers to shop around and choose the best option. But more than two years after federal transparency rule went into effect, consumers still have trouble finding prices on hospital websites.
Updated: Jul. 21, 2023 at 3:19 PM EDT
|By Caresse Jackman and Daniela Molina
State and federal law enforcement agencies report a ride in sextortion cases, where children and teens are being coerced into sending sexually explicit images or videos online and then extorted for money. Now, lawmakers in the Senate are trying to strengthen the nation’s centralized reporting system for online child exploitation.
Updated: Jul. 17, 2023 at 1:36 PM EDT
|By Caresse Jackman and Daniela Molina
As the rise of a new form of blackmail targets teens, a father shares his son's story about the crime and how internet crime task forces are working to combat those crimes with limited funding and resources.
Updated: Jul. 10, 2023 at 2:24 PM EDT
|By Caresse Jackman and Daniela Molina
According to experts, cases of the new form of blackmailing affecting young children, teens and adults have increased exponentially in the past two years.
Updated: May. 22, 2023 at 1:06 PM EDT
|By Joce Sterman and Daniela Molina
Rare disorders and conditions are caught in more than 12,000 babies born every year because of newborn screening done across the United States. But despite the critical need, an InvestigateTV survey of screening programs nationwide found many are facing challenges due to a lack of funding.
Updated: May. 1, 2023 at 1:59 PM EDT
|By Daniela Molina and Rachel DePompa
Doctors across the country are sounding the alarm on emergency medical kits, commonly known as EMKs, on commercial flights saying sometimes they fall short and could be outdated. The Federal Aviation Administration hasn't updated the requirement for items on these kits for almost two decades, leaving it up to airlines to decide what to add.
Updated: Mar. 27, 2023 at 1:50 PM EDT
|By Joce Sterman, Daniela Molina, Jill Riepenhoff, Payton Romans, Olivia Bianco, Ruth Cronin, Caroline Geib, Haley Miller, Mia Stewart and Jasmine Wright
The state where a baby is born determines what serious and rare disorders he or she will be screened for shortly after birth. It’s a patchwork of policies across the country that could have dire consequences. Some parents call it death by ZIP code.
Updated: Feb. 27, 2023 at 1:11 PM EST
|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela Molina
According to a ChildCare Aware study, in 2021 the national average price of child care in the U.S. was more than $10,000 annually. Availability has also become an issue post-pandemic as childcare providers struggle to meet staffing needs. These factors both play a role when it comes to parents choosing the best option for their kids, with some turning to in-home daycares to fill in the gap. However, some home daycares are unlicensed with little or no regulation.
Updated: Jan. 30, 2023 at 4:51 PM EST
|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela Molina
Imagine paying your debt and having it disappear from your credit report, only to see it resurrected years later haunting your credit score. It’s called “zombie debt”, and while it may sound like a term out of a horror film, Jesse James shares his personal story dealing with this issue that plagues consumers, even forcing some to take legal action against collection agencies for debts they’ve already paid.
Updated: Nov. 28, 2022 at 3:08 PM EST
|By Joce Sterman and Daniela Molina
Doctors whose struggles with drugs and alcohol put the public at risk don't always face severe consequences for their actions
Updated: Nov. 21, 2022 at 4:59 PM EST
|By Daniela Molina and Rachel DePompa
“Buy Now, Pay Later” – is a type of short-term loan that has taken the American marketplace by storm. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, U.S. consumers borrowed $2 billion via “BNPL” in 2019. In 2021 that number grew by more than 1,000 percent to $24.2 billion. Companies like Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna and PayPal have created these loans for borrowers to purchase everything from high-end electronics and jewelry to everyday staples like groceries and utilities.
Updated: Oct. 31, 2022 at 3:29 PM EDT
|By Joce Sterman, Daniela Molina and Bailey Williams
Physician health programs across the country are designed as a confidential treatment option for doctors battling addiction. But patient advocates argue they put doctor reputations ahead of a patient's right to know.
Five Star Fakes: Amazon targets social media brokers in attempt to crack down on fake online reviews
Updated: Oct. 17, 2022 at 3:57 PM EDT
|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela Molina
According to the World Economic Forum, fake online reviews cost businesses and consumers $152 billion a year. BrightLocal research found 82% of consumers have read a fake review in the last year. Now, one of the largest retailers in the world is fighting back, as Amazon is suing the administrators of more than 11,000 Facebook Groups.
Updated: Oct. 17, 2022 at 3:56 PM EDT
|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela Molina
In a 2022 study presented to the National Bureau of Economic Research, data showed that phony testimonies cost customers an extra $0.12 cents for each dollar spent – meaning you could spend up to an extra 12 percent because of fake reviews. But fake online reviews don’t always have an immediate financial impact, some small businesses are seeing their reputations damaged from a barrage of untrue testimonials.
Updated: Oct. 10, 2022 at 1:44 PM EDT
|By Joce Sterman and Daniela Molina
For decades, Supreme Court precedent effectively banned members of the military from suing the Department of Defense. In 2019, Congress passed a law that cleared the way for military malpractice claims. Yet few have won their cases.
Updated: Sep. 26, 2022 at 1:49 PM EDT
|By Joce Sterman, Jamie Grey and Daniela Molina
Electric vehicle fires can start when cars are parked or charging, which car safety experts say make them different and more shocking than other car fires. Companies are working on implementing a fix for defective batteries, but it's taking longer than owners would like.
Updated: Aug. 22, 2022 at 5:45 PM EDT
|By Joce Sterman, Daniela Molina, Jon Decker, Jamie Grey, Justine Arens, Yelta Reyna, Hannah Lorenzo, Samantha Latson, Lizzie Wright and Lauren Truex
The law allows states to create their own special education policies based on the federal IDEA framework. As a result, there are varying policies and parents are left trying to navigate complicated systems.
Updated: Jul. 25, 2022 at 5:21 PM EDT
|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela Molina
It’s a $60 billion a year industry that’s a relentless target for cybercriminals. According to a recent security report, web attacks against the global video game industry grew by 340 % in 2020. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa has the security advice you need before you, or your children, get hacked and it's game over.
Updated: Jun. 20, 2022 at 3:46 PM EDT
|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela Molina
Checking online reviews when shopping, researching vacations or even looking for a doctor has become an integral part of the modern consumer experience. But experts say many of the products or service reviews you’re reading were either bought or sold and completely fake. In “Five Star Fakes”, InvestigateTV found several posts on social media platforms where people are bartering - even buying and selling - online reviews, despite a federal law that prohibits this act.
Updated: May. 16, 2022 at 3:00 PM EDT
|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela Molina
Cutting-edge computer technology designed to mimic the human brain is being used by hackers to create lifelike videos of celebrities and politicians. But now, bad actors are using this readily available tech to target everyday social media users in cryptocurrency scams.
Updated: Apr. 18, 2022 at 5:24 PM EDT
|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela Molina
A trip to the emergency room can instantly change your life - not just medically, but financially as well. Americans are burdened with at least $140 billion in outstanding medical debt according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. But help is out there. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa speaks with experts on the frontline aiding those “Diagnosed with Debt”.
Updated: Mar. 21, 2022 at 5:41 PM EDT
|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela Molina
Los expertos dicen que los hackers no solo toman control de cuentas sociales, sino que roban fotos y videos para crear una versión completamente nueva, y a veces es un perfil que no trama nada bueno.
Updated: Mar. 21, 2022 at 5:15 PM EDT
|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela Molina
Experts say hackers aren’t just taking over your social media accounts, but many are stealing pictures and videos to create a completely new you, and in some cases, it’s a profile that’s up to no good.
Updated: Feb. 14, 2022 at 6:23 PM EST
|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela Molina
There are two websites you can use to find out whether something you just bought, or have owned for years, has either been recalled or reported as potentially dangerous.
Updated: Feb. 7, 2022 at 3:40 PM EST
|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela Molina
People use Facebook and Instagram to stay in touch, to share memories, and now more and more, to build a clientele. Hackers have taken advantage of this growth to gain access to people’s accounts, often targeting weak passwords.
Updated: Oct. 18, 2021 at 6:17 PM EDT
|By Daniela Molina, Jill Riepenhoff and Lee Zurik
The lack of access to dental care plagues many parts of rural America.
Updated: Aug. 23, 2021 at 3:52 PM EDT
|By Daniela Molina and Sandra Jones
Without a vehicle or public transportation some in rural America rely on charity for rides to doctors and stores.
Updated: Aug. 4, 2021 at 5:56 PM EDT
|By Lee Zurik, Jamie Grey, Jill Riepenhoff, Daniela Molina and Owen Hornstein
Bridging the Great Health Divide explores issues in rural America through the lens of residents, doctors and other health care providers.
Updated: Jul. 19, 2021 at 6:24 PM EDT
|By Jamie Grey, Lee Zurik and Daniela Molina
The purpose of the food stamp program is to help low-income families access healthy foods, but in rural America, that can be difficult.
Updated: Jun. 14, 2021 at 5:05 PM EDT
|By Jill Riepenhoff, Daniela Molina, Jamie Grey and Lee Zurik
Before last year food insecurity impacted about 10% of all U.S. residents. Experts estimate that number has at least doubled since the pandemic.
Updated: Apr. 8, 2021 at 10:03 PM EDT
|By Jill Riepenhoff, Daniela Molina, Jamie Grey and Lee Zurik
In 207 counties in 2018, there wasn’t a family, general or internal medicine doctor – the primary care doctors mainly for adults, according to an InvestigateTV analysis of federal data.
Updated: Feb. 15, 2021 at 4:37 PM EST
|By Daniela Molina and Lee Zurik
DNA paternity labs are not regulated by the FDA; rather, there is a voluntary accreditation process. The records about those labs are kept largely under wraps.