HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — One week after ABC13’s report, a younger Military reserve lieutenant will likely be given her home again after a squatter took it over.
In court docket on Monday, a decide dominated Natasha Timmons can now not legally stay within the townhome owned by military reservist Mikiya Barber.
ABC13 first met Barber final week when the younger officer flew in from West Palm Seashore, Florida, the place she is at present deployed to plead her case earlier than a decide.
ORIGINAL REPORT: Military reservist from Houston claims battle with squatter is costing her $50,000
Barber had rented her townhome to Simmons after she was deployed, however court docket information present Simmons stopped paying hire after two months.
There was no fee prior to now 10 months by Timmons. Initially, Barber tried to arrange fee plans to work the scenario out.
Finally, she went to court docket. Nevertheless, information present Simmons, who has a theft conviction from 2003, filed two bankruptcies whereas residing in Barber’s dwelling, which delayed court docket proceedings.
All of the whereas, neighbors stated they watched as she washed her Mercedes within the driveway and lived as if nothing was fallacious.
“It by no means needed to get thus far,” Barber stated, who appeared in court docket by way of Zoom and spoke to ABC13 afterward.
RELATED: Annoyed neighbors, proprietor in NW Houston flip to Motion 13 about dwelling taken over by squatters
When Simmons did not present up, the decide issued a default verdict, giving Barber speedy entry to her dwelling.
“I am positively excited to have my home again. I will be seeing the within quickly,” she stated.
The decide additionally ordered Simmons to pay again the almost $20,000 in again hire. Although Barber would not suppose she’ll ever see a dime.
Neighbors advised ABC13 they haven’t seen Simmons since we aired the story.
“I positively realized quite a bit, and I positively realized quite a bit about legal guidelines,” Barber stated.
She advised Eyewitness Information she is contemplating contacting members of Congress to advocate for individuals discovering themselves in comparable conditions.
“I am positively going to learn up on every thing earlier than I put it again available on the market to hire,” she stated.
For information updates, observe Miya Shay on Fb, Twitter and Instagram.
