Sometimes the individuals that make the biggest impact work behind the scenes.
Juvenile Court Magistrate Heather Mollo is one of those people.
Mollo recently wrapped up a 20-year career at the courthouse, as dozens that work with local at-risk youth gathered to celebrate her retirement on Aug. 7.
Over the years, Mollo displayed the qualities of a fair and just judge. Her bench saw a variety of cases, including the string of school threats that occurred in 2019.
While few knew it, her efforts helped hundreds of youth in the community achieve brighter futures. Juvenile court is typically off-limits to the public and reporters, so many locals have been unaware of her work over the past two decades.
Mollo expressed a genuine care for the kids in court.
In 2018, after being put in charge of the local Family Recovery Court, she said that National Adoption Day — a day that allows families who have waited years for the moment to adopt a new family member — was her favorite day of the year. The court was created at a time when more than 80% of all local Children in Need of Services (CHINS) cases in Bartholomew County involve a parent dealing with drug addiction.
Mollo is also a member of several local and state boards.
She is the chair of the local Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative, a member of the advisory board for the Bartholomew County Youth Services Center, and a board member of District Eleven Legal Aid. She also serves as a member of the Regional Services Council for Region 14.
At the state level, Mollo is the chair of the Child Welfare Improvement Committee and is a member of the State CASA advisory board. In addition, she is a member of the Juvenile Benchbook Committee.
She has volunteered to get an organization similar to the ASAP Hub started in Nashville to help provide resources to Brown County residents battling addiction.
During her retirement party, Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop read a proclamation in Mollo’s honor during the proceedings, and she received a framed copy to keep.
The retiring juvenile magistrate is succeeded by Bartholomew County deputy prosecutor Lindsey Holden Kay, who started her new duties on Monday.
The impact Mollo has made on Bartholomew County is immeasurable.
Mollo said she plans to stay involved in several groups, but that she’s hoping to restore some balance to her life in retirement. She’s certainly earned it.
