Mary's recovery and life rebuild.

Hi friends and family,

I hoped not to have to do this. We weren't even sure we wanted to share this story but unfortunately the bills, fees, and incidentals are adding up fast. This is what happened and why we need your help.

My mother, Mary Kathrene, has been a victim of elder abuse. She has a chronic illness but has been able to live on her own with some family staying with her just to give a helping hand, give me reports on how she is doing, and what she may need. I live two hours away in a different city.

A man, we will call L, offered to help to repair her home and help with the large yard. He was a guest in my mom's RV next her house. At first he was every bit the help which allowed my family to believe they could move out.

This is when things went down hill fast. We are still re-piecing it all together. My mom started missing doctor appointments in mid November. The neighbors were not seeing her anymore and L would not let people into the home. No one was able to reach her on her phone, including me and what texts we did get didn't sound like her. At this time I happen to have become very ill and was not able to drive down to check on her. Wellness checks were called often by the neighbors but were sent away quickly because my mom too afraid to say anything.

By the time I was healthy enough, no one had seen her in over month. I went to visit her on a Thursday and she was very ill. I tried to take her to the ER but she was afraid to go. I had to take her back to her home. She told me nothing of what was really happening but I had a terrible feeling. Come the very next Tuesday all hell broke lose.

I got my eyes on her that Tuesday and I called an ambulance and the police. She was admitted and stayed in the hospital 5 days. She had been dosed with drugs, Meth and most likely GHB. She had been held hostage in her bedroom for months. No running water. Her chronic illness neglected because she was not allowed to fill her prescriptions or go to her doctor visits. She wasn't even allowed to go pay her bills. She was on the cusp of not making it and turns out this was a very dangerous man with a history of people dying around him.

The dogs weren't allowed out of their cages, were not being taken care of, and were close to death themselves.

He was using her cars do sell drugs, took her phone, and her money. Leaving her with nothing.

There is so much more I can not share at this time. We do have a Detective we are working with.

Back to what we need help with-

1. L was driving one of my Mom's vehicles and was arrested for an unrelated offense. They impounded the vehicle and it will cost us $370 plus $40 per day to get it out. We can't even get her things out of it.

2. She's not able to live in her home anymore for various legal reasons and remains too dangerous. We will need to move her to a senior living facility. Storage units and moving trucks will add up.

3. We need to pay off her utilities that are turned off so she can move to a new and safer place.

4. Neglected property tax bill of $250 so we can begin to sell her land.

5. We also had to pay to remove her 6 dogs to a shelter. $15 per dog.

6. We are also having to purchase a new phone and medical assist items while she is temporally stays with us until we can get her into her very own home.

7. We also will be driving back an forth from Huntsville to Birmingham to pursue legal actions, doctor visits, and more. We all know gas adds up.

I have no doubt more fees, and surprise bills are still on there way. I know many of us are hurting financially right now. I would not ask if I had another choice. If you can't give money, I will happily take any and all good mojo.