OCOEE, Fla. — Ocoee police say squatters moved into what was a nice home and destroyed it. Police say three adults and three children lived in the home on Plumberry Avenue (see map) illegally for eight months without furniture or even running water.
Investigators said the family was also stealing electricity at the home off of Clarcona-Ocoee Road. Investigators said they rigged the meter to steal electricity after they broken into the home to live there.
The 4,500 square-foot home, police say, was moved into eight months ago by Felicia Redden, Gail Redden and Reshay Redden.
But what neighbors may not have known initially is the trio didn't belong. Police say they smashed in and were squatting.
In this case, they were living in filthy conditions, garbage strewn across the house, and without running water. They had three children in the home and a dog locked in the hot garage with no water.
Police were tipped off after four investors bought the place. When police showed up, neighbors were stunned.
"One of the girls looked at me and said, 'Why are you so nosey?'" neighbor Jennifer Farley told WFTV. "I said, 'This is my neighborhood.'"
Police say it's becoming a bigger problem with so many foreclosed homes and it's hard to stop; often the banks don't want to press charges.
But, in this case, police were able to get the suspects on utility theft, child neglect, and animal cruelty charges. Still, police say they'll likely just do it again.
"In the jail cell, one defendant said, 'I've already got another place lined up,'" said Sgt. Mike Bryant, Ocoee Police Department.
The three children are now in DCF care. Ocoee police say it's gotten to the point they're asking neighbors to report it when people move into a vacant home and police plan to look at foreclosed homes as part of their patrols.
WFTV
