Family Seeks Answers Over Bipolar Care After ICE Detainee Is Put on Life Support
The family of a 38-year-old woman with bipolar disorder is demanding answers after she was hospitalised and placed on life support following a medical emergency at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centre in Arizona.
Andreea Marin, a Romanian national, was taken from the Eloy Detention Center to Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa on 23 October after staff found her unresponsive, according to a report by the Arizona Daily Star published on 29 October.
Her family said doctors told them that personnel who transported Marin to hospital reported an apparent suicide attempt. However, her brother stressed that the family had not received a complete account of what happened and wanted an independent investigation before accepting that explanation.
The family also raised concerns about whether Marin had received her prescribed medication for bipolar disorder while in custody. They said they had repeatedly contacted immigration officials about her treatment but were assured that facility medical staff would provide the care she needed.
CoreCivic, the private company operating the detention centre, said staff responded to the emergency, began lifesaving treatment and contacted emergency medical services. ICE did not immediately respond to the newspaper's latest questions about the family's account.
The circumstances surrounding Marin's medical emergency remain unclear. Her family's concerns about medication and care have not been independently established as the cause of her condition.
Family Questions Bipolar Disorder Care in ICE Detention
Marin had been held at the Eloy facility for less than two weeks when she was hospitalised. Her brother told the Arizona Daily Star that the family had been urging ICE officials to ensure she received medication for her diagnosed bipolar disorder.
He said they were reassured that medical personnel would manage her treatment. The family now fears that her medication may have been interrupted or that her mental health needs were not adequately addressed.
Relatives also questioned why Marin was placed in civil immigration detention given her history of serious mental illness and recent treatment.
According to her brother, Marin had experienced a manic episode in October 2025 and was later taken to a treatment facility, where she stabilised before returning to work. Her brother said police arrested her after finding an outstanding warrant during a traffic stop, and immigration agents detained her after she left the police station.
The family said Marin had not received the notice for the hearing, which her brother believed had been returned as undeliverable. These details form part of the family's account and have not independently established the circumstances of her medical emergency.
What Happens When Bipolar Disorder Is Not Properly Managed?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterised by significant changes in mood, energy and activity levels. People with the condition can experience episodes of mania or hypomania and periods of depression, with symptoms and severity varying between individuals.
The World Health Organization says bipolar disorder can be managed through a combination of medication and psychological and psychosocial support. Treatment may include mood stabilisers and antipsychotic medicines, depending on a person's symptoms and clinical needs.
Consistency is an important part of treatment. The UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that long-term medication for bipolar disorder be withdrawn gradually, with patients monitored for signs of relapse. When treatment needs to change, clinicians should plan the adjustment and monitor the person for signs of relapse.
The US National Institute of Mental Health also advises patients not to stop prescribed mental health medication without consulting a healthcare professional.
An interruption in treatment may increase the risk of symptoms returning or worsening, but the effects depend on the individual, the medication involved and the circumstances. Without Marin's medical records and a clinical assessment, it is not possible to determine whether a disruption in medication contributed to her condition.
Why Continuity of Mental Health Care Matters in Detention
People with serious mental health conditions may require ongoing access to medication, clinical monitoring and appropriate support, including when they are held in detention.
The challenge is not limited to providing medication at intake. Healthcare providers need to review a person's medical history, confirm existing prescriptions, assess current symptoms and ensure that treatment continues when clinically appropriate.
The National Commission on Correctional Health Care's standards for correctional facilities emphasise health screening and continuity of care. ICE also has detention standards covering medical and mental health services for people in its custody.
In Marin's case, the family wants to establish whether her prescribed treatment was continued, what medical assessments were conducted and when officials became aware of her condition.
CoreCivic said staff at Eloy called a medical emergency after finding an unresponsive individual in a living area on 23 October. The company said medical personnel began lifesaving measures before emergency responders transported the individual to hospital.
The company also said ICE was notified immediately. However, the newspaper reported that ICE had not responded to its latest request for comment on the family's account.
Family Calls for an Independent Investigation
Marin's relatives said they were informed of her hospitalisation by Banner Desert Medical Center staff on 25 October, two days after she was taken from the detention facility. Her brother said the family had not been notified by ICE or Eloy officials.
The family has contacted the office of US Senator Mark Kelly, which said it was seeking information from ICE to help relatives understand what happened. Representative Adelita Grijalva also called for a full investigation.
Their questions include whether Marin received her prescribed medication, what happened before she was found unresponsive and why relatives were not informed promptly.
As of the Arizona Daily Star report published on 29 October, Marin remained on life support. Her family was still seeking answers, and the precise circumstances of her medical emergency had not been established.
The case underscores the importance of continuity in mental health treatment, particularly for people who depend on regular clinical care. Determining what happened to Marin will require a fuller account of her medical records, the facility's response and the care she received after entering ICE custody.