Sarah Mervosh

Sarah is an investigative reporter at The Dallas Morning News. She focuses on stories that give voice to the vulnerable. Since joining The News in 2012, she has covered a variety of topics, including courts, domestic violence and affordable housing. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame.

Latest Stories

Jimmy and Deborah Isbell's house, built by Dry Quick Restoration as part of a city program...

Botched Dallas housing program could cost taxpayers $1.3 million

A new federal audit echoes many findings first reported in a Dallas Morning News investigation in March.

By Sue Ambrose and Sarah MervoshInvestigationsMay 10, 2018

People at the popular Czech Stop watch a cloud of smoke rising from an explosion at the...

When West's firefighters answered the call, the next 30 minutes changed their brotherhood forever

All over town, firefighters began to respond. Some were eating supper; others were watching TV or working in their yards. Adrenaline surging, they raced to the north end of town, toward a blaze like nothing they had ever trained for.

By David Tarrant and Sarah MervoshTexasApr 17, 2018

5 times we used Texas public records to get answers — and how you can, too

The Dallas Morning News routinely relies on public records law to find out answers to such questions. And you can, too.

By Sarah MervoshInvestigationsMar 15, 2018

City of Dallas employee Carl Wagner (left) is a longtime friend and business associate of...

City official placed on leave after our investigation found he helped friend get $825K housing gig

Housing employee Carl Wagner has been placed on leave pending an administrative investigation. The development comes after a report by The Dallas Morning News.

By Sarah Mervosh and Sue AmbroseInvestigationsMar 13, 2018

When Raymond Williams turns on his faucet, water runs through the bricks in front of the...

How did a pastor with a spotty business record get a $825K gig with Dallas City Hall? He knew a guy

A basic background check would have revealed that Kenneth Williams misstated his financial history and had been barred from doing similar work in Fort Worth.

By Sue Ambrose and Sarah MervoshInvestigationsMar 11, 2018

Suicide and assaults: Which Dallas psychiatric hospitals have bad safety records?

Timberlawn psychiatric hospital shut down Friday. Here's a look at the safety records of 16 other psych hospitals in Dallas-Fort Worth.

By Sarah Mervosh and Sue AmbroseInvestigationsFeb 18, 2018

Timberlawn psychiatric hospital will close on February 16.

Timberlawn is closing. Tell us your experience at other North Texas psychiatric hospitals

Timberlawn psychiatric hospital is closing this month after reports of sexual assaults and other patient-safety problems. Patients who need a hospital bed during a mental health crisis will have to go to other local facilities. The Dallas Morning News is examining safety at these hospitals. We would like to hear from you if you've been a patient or employee at one of them.

By Sue Ambrose and Sarah MervoshInvestigationsFeb 2, 2018

Timberlawn psychiatric hospital had been a mainstay in mental health care in Dallas for 100...

Timberlawn psychiatric hospital to close Feb. 16 after safety violations

Timberlawn, once Dallas' premier psych hospital, is closing after patients have reported sexual assaults and other safety concerns.

By Sue Ambrose, Sarah Mervosh and Miles MoffeitInvestigationsJan 31, 2018

Timberlawn psychiatric hospital again came under scrutiny in October after a 13-year-old...

Timberlawn's last stand? State moves to close Dallas psychiatric hospital over safety

The state's move to revoke Timberlawn's license, announced Friday, is one of the strongest steps it can take against healthcare facilities.

By Sue Ambrose and Sarah MervoshInvestigationsJan 12, 2018

Timberlawn is the only freestanding psychiatric hospital in Texas that's on probation with...

'Immediate jeopardy': How safe are kids at state-monitored Timberlawn psych hospital?

He was on doctor’s orders for sexual aggression. She was 13 and suicidal. A Dallas psych hospital put them in rooms just steps apart. The latest in our ongoing investigation.

By Sarah Mervosh and Sue AmbroseInvestigationsDec 10, 2017