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SILVER SPRING, Md. - Attorneys for a Silver Spring woman who was wrongfully detained by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement in December say she has been reunited with her family.

Dulce Consuelo Diaz Morales' case went viral in December after her attorneys took to social media alleging that she was taken into custody by ICE despite being an American citizen born in Maryland.

The story was viewed millions of times online and sparked outrage across the nation.

Statement from attorneys:

"I can confirm that she reunited with family late tonight, thanks to the assistance of members of the legal team. All of her cases remain in active litigation," Sanabria & Associates tells FOX 5.

Her attorneys have consistently said they have indisputable proof she is in the country legally.

In a news conference following Diaz Morales' detainment, her lawyers stated that she has a watermarked birth certificate indicating she was born in a Laurel, Md., hospital that serves as confirmation of her citizenship, along with signed affidavits from witnesses, among other documents.

The backstory:

On Dec. 14, Diaz Morales and her sister were leaving a Baltimore Taco Bell last month when they were stopped by ICE.

She was taken into custody, and her family was unable to see her for weeks. Her attorneys also noted that they were unable to talk to her for days, and noted their frustration with the lack of access to their client.

"We have not been given any information as to why she was detained or why she has continued to be held, despite prima facie evidence proving otherwise," attorney Victoria Slatten said following the detainment.

The other side:

In a statement provided to FOX 5, ICE directly contradicted the family and attorney's assertions about Diaz Morales's citizenship and access to attorneys.

"Dulce Consuelo Madrigal Diaz is NOT a U.S. citizen—she is an illegal alien from Mexico. She did NOT provide a U.S. birth certificate or any evidence in support of her claim that she is a U.S. citizen.

On December 14, 2025, ICE arrest Dulce Consuelo Madrigal Diaz, an illegal alien from Mexico, in Baltimore, Maryland. On October 20, 2023, when CBP encountered her near Lukeville, Arizona, Madrigal-Diaz claimed she was a citizen of Mexico and was born on October 18, 2003.

Her case is being adjudicated and she is receiving full due process. Any allegation that ICE does not allow detainees to contact legal assistance is FALSE. All detainees have access to phones to communicate with lawyers."

It's not immediately clear why she was released on Wednesday, or if she will continue to face legal action from ICE.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

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Transaction underscores investor demand for value-add medical assets in high-growth healthcare corridors

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 2, 2026 – Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) a leading global real estate services firm, announced today it brokered the $8.6 million sale of Talbot Medical, a 38,132-square-foot outpatient medical building in Silver Spring, Md., just outside Washington, D.C. The firm also arranged $5.3 million in acquisition financing for the buyer.

Cushman & Wakefield’s Healthcare Capital Markets team—Travis Ives, Gino Lollio, and Tyler Morss—along with Kevin Sidney from the firm’s Washington, D.C. office represented the seller, ESJ Capital Partners, and directly sourced the buyer, Miami-based Creative Equities LLC, led by Kevin Lurie.

Talbot Medical, located at 12120 Plum Orchard Drive, is home to five healthcare-focused tenants and anchored by Fresenius Kidney Care, which occupies nearly 20 percent of the building. Originally constructed in 1989 as a single-story office/flex property, the building has been repositioned into a modern outpatient medical facility.

“As healthcare providers grapple with rising costs and static or shrinking reimbursements, it’s more important than ever to find cost-effective solutions to mitigate real estate expenses,” said Ives, Cushman & Wakefield Executive Director. “Talbot Medical is a prime example of how repositioning an existing asset can deliver quality space in a convenient location at a fraction of the cost of new construction. This approach improves outcomes for occupiers and creates attractive investment opportunities for groups like ESJ Capital and Creative Equities. We’re seeing significant interest in similar value-add medical opportunities across the U.S.”

The property’s location, near Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center—a 220-bed hospital—and the planned Viva White Oak development, a $2.8 billion, 280-acre mixed-use life sciences district approved for 12 million square feet of development, positions the asset for long-term growth and value creation.

“Financing value-add medical deals requires a deep understanding of both healthcare operations and capital markets,” added Morss, Director at Cushman & Wakefield, who arranged financing for Creative Equities. “Lenders are increasingly drawn to these assets because they combine stable tenancy with clear upside potential. Our experience in structuring debt for medical properties allowed us to secure competitive terms for the buyer, ensuring they can execute their business plan and unlock the property’s full value.”

About Cushman & Wakefield Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for property owners and occupiers with approximately 52,000 employees in nearly 400 offices and 60 countries. In 2024, the firm reported revenue of $9.4 billion across its core service lines of Services, Leasing, Capital markets, and Valuation and other. Built around the belief that Better never settles, the firm receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture. For additional information, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com.

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

David and Diane Bechtol found that moving to Riderwood was a smart financial decision to ensure peace of mind

When David and Diane Bechtol moved from Frederick, Md., to Riderwood, an Erickson Senior Living community in Silver Spring, Md., they did so with their future in mind.

"We knew that we wanted to move to a senior living community," says Diane. "David's parents lived at Oak Crest, an Erickson Senior Living community in Parkville, Md., for over twenty years. That experience helped us appreciate the community's many lifestyle and financial benefits."

With maintenance-free residences, predictable monthly expenses, and convenient access to an array of amenities, Erickson Senior Living residents spend less time stressing over unexpected repairs and finances and more time pursuing their hobbies and interests. Now, as residents at Riderwood, David and Diane are making the most of their newfound free time and enjoying retirement!

Finding the right fit

Conducting their due diligence, the Bechtols researched several retirement communities--with financial stability being their top priority.

"As we compared communities, Oak Crest was our gold standard," explains David. "When we visited Riderwood, it was clear the community offered the same high-quality amenities and a solid financial structure. With my brother living in Silver Spring, the location also made perfect sense."

Riderwood's pricing structure is made up of two components--a monthly service package and a 90% refundable entrance fee.* The monthly service package bundles the costs of utilities, home maintenance and repairs, a meal plan at on-site restaurants, regularly scheduled transportation, and more into one predictable bill.

"There is peace of mind in just picking up the phone and asking someone [on the General Services team] to fix a window lock or replace a light bulb," says Diane. "You don't have to go to the hardware store or find a contractor. It's all taken care of, and that makes a big difference."

Peace of mind

The couple's financial stability and peace of mind is further strengthened by Riderwood's industry-leading, 90% refundable entrance fee--the heart of the community's pricing structure. The entrance fee, collected as part of the residency process, will go back to you or your beneficiaries if or when you leave the community.

"We appreciate that 90% will go back to the kids when we move on," says David. "It made financial planning much clearer. We could see the path forward."

David and Diane were also impressed by the community's Home for Life promise.*

No one ever expects to run out of money, but sometimes unforeseen issues arise that can quickly deplete your hard-earned savings and put you at risk. At Riderwood, we've planned for life's uncertainties and are prepared to assist eligible residents who outlive their resources. No one will be asked to leave the community because of a genuine inability to pay.

"The Home for Life promise is very reassuring and added another financial benefit to our move," says David.

A vibrant lifestyle

Without the stress and hassle of home maintenance, residents have more time to pursue their hobbies and interests--especially since access to the community's amenities is also included in the monthly service package.

Riderwood boasts an expansive wellness and fitness center, creative arts studio, hair salons, woodshop, pickleball and shuffleboard courts, and more.

Dave likes to visit the fitness center and woodshop, while Diane participates in a weekly Bible study and spends time in the various libraries on campus. Together, they attend movies, evening events, a wine tasting class, and science and technology lectures.

"How often do you get to hear a lecture from a Nobel Prize laureate?" says Dave. "Things like that are fabulous."

He adds, "We've come to realize that, even though we have a car and can go out, everything we need is right here. There's also a shuttle to places like the mall or grocery store. Knowing that all of these services--plus a bank and medical care--are on campus gives us peace of mind."

Executive Director Dee Dee Gray-Weaver notes that Riderwood's financial strength--backed by Erickson Senior Living--creates opportunities to reinvest in community amenities and services, ensuring residents enjoy the best value, now and in the future.

"We always look for ways to refresh the clubhouses and residence buildings," says Gray-Weaver.

The right move

For David and Diane, moving to Riderwood was more than just a positive lifestyle change. It was a smart financial decision that provides stability, security, and the freedom to enjoy their retirement with confidence.

To learn more about the ways you can explore senior living, request more information today.

*Carefully read the Residence and Care Agreement for the conditions that must be satisfied before the Provider is required to pay the Entrance Fee Refund.

By Kelly Shue

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch? Register for a user account.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Roughly 1,000 people and pets were forced out of their apartments Wednesday afternoon after a burst pipe caused flooding, power outages and road closures. A spokesperson for the fire department says there is no timeline for when those living at the apartment complex in Wheaton can return to their homes.

Fire and rescue crews spent several hours at the Arrive Wheaton apartments responding to what was first reported as a water issue. According to Pete Piringer, a spokesperson with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services, crews first got to the scene in the 11200 block of Georgia Avenue in downtown Wheaton of around 11:30 Wednesday morning.

Once on scene, crews found an estimated 300,000 gallons of water in a sub basement from a broken water pipe on the property. The flooding caused significant utility issues, but the flooding was contained in to the large basement area.

About five or six feet of water had completely submerged utility closets in the area, so power was shut off to the building and surrounding areas out of an abundance of caution, according to Piringer.

Utility and fire crews worked to pump the water out of the building, however, a building inspector deemed the apartment complex unsafe to occupy, forcing all 500 apartment units to be evacuated. Piringer estimated roughly 1,000 people and pets were evacuated.

"Around 5:30 or so, the Housing Authority and Code Enforcement condemned the building," Piringer said in a video posted to X, formerly Twitter. "They don't have power, electricity, elevators aren't working, they don't have lights, water, heat ... Obviously people cannot sleep here tonight."

Warming buses were called in to help residents forced out of their homes. It is not clear when power will be restored to the building and when those who live at Arrive Wheaton will be able to return to their apartments.

WUSA9 has reached out to property management company for Arrive Wheaton, Redtail Residential, but have not heard back.