While Terri Boyette was away taking care of her ill mother, squatters occupied her Texas home and reportedly transformed it into a drug hub. They even sold her belongings. Despite reporting the incident to the police, they claimed their hands were tied and they couldn’t help, reports the New York Post. Reports say that she claimed to have paid workers to fix her home but once she left, a painter broke into the house and destroyed it. 

Luckily, after a six-month struggle, Boyette finally regained possession of her home. Unfortunately, her belongings were either destroyed or sold. Boyette also discovered that the squatter had been renting out her belongings.

Boyette instructed the workers to vacate the premises before her departure to Florida. However, the squatter unlawfully entered and refused to leave. Upon being informed by a friend, Boyette contacted the police to report the break-in. Unfortunately, she was informed that she would have to go through the eviction process since the squatter had been present for over ten days. Boyette then enlisted the help of an attorney to initiate the eviction proceedings, which ended up lasting for several months.

Boyette explained,

“We had to send the thirty-day notice, so he gets the thirty-day notice that he’s going to be removed. And he got another thirty-day notice that had to expire… After I sent those, I got a court date in December and then when I went before the judge, [the squatter] didn’t show up of course, so she granted the eviction.” 

The woman continued,

“She extended the appeal to January because she didn’t want anyone to be homeless over the holidays, and I’m like — I’m homeless over the holidays.” 

The squatter was given his last eviction notice on Feb. 6 and was officially evicted on March 20. Boyette mentioned that the squatter has made attempts to return. The Mesquite Police Department stated that squatting a home in Texas is a complex process, as squatters can claim adverse possession.

#Clique, what are your thoughts?