Adverse Possession or What is This Woman doing in my House?!
I recall reading comments in the TCI Forum about some considering taking possession of abandoned homes, with the goal to claim title by adverse possession. When I heard the news below, I couldn't help but wonder if this was going to be the "NEW" creative technique in acquiring homes!
Family Back From Vacation Finds Stranger Living In Their House
Family's Belongings Removed From House
October 22, 2004
DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. -- A Georgia family is trying to figure out why a woman moved into their home while they were away on vacation.
Beverly Mitchell, of the Atlanta suburb of Douglasville, said she returned from 2½ weeks in Greece to find that her personal belongings -- including clothes, furniture and dishes -- had been removed. She said most of the carpet had also been taken out and the house had been redecorated.
"I was ready to strangle this woman," Mitchell said. "How could you not know someone lives here?"
Sheriff's deputies found Beverly Valentine, 53, in a bathroom and charged her with burglary. Police said Valentine told them she used a shovel to break into the house.
Mitchell said the woman had the electricity switched over to her name and also moved in a washer and dryer. She brought in her own furniture, clothes and decorations and even repainted rooms in the house.
"Now we have portraits hanging on the wall that we didn't have before," Mitchell said. "And we've got all kinds of new appliances."
Mitchell has moved all of Valentine's belongings out but doesn't know what to do with them. She hopes the woman's relatives will reclaim the goods.
"It's the most bizarre thing I've ever seen," Mitchell said.
Investigators at the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said they are unsure why Valentine moved into the woman's home. The suspect has not yet explained her actions.
"She's never met her before so we really don't know why this lady picked this particular house," said sheriff's Lt. Bobby Holmes.
Valentine was being held in Douglas County Jail on a $25,000 bond. If convicted, she could face one to 20 years in prison.
64 Ford,
You will notice that those TCI forums advocating taking adverse possession as a "technique" have been gone for quite some time. Thats because we figured somebody might actually pull a stunt like this.
For the news report go to:
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/video/3842201/detail.html