Carmel on the Case: Mouse house update

WSVN -- Carmel Cafiero: "Mr. Hearne why are you walking so fast? I'd just like to ask you a question or two."

The lawyer for Bank of America was in a big hurry to leave Coconut Creek City Hall.

He was there about a foreclosed house. The city cited it as a nuisance and safety issue after neighbors complained their home had been invaded by rodents coming from the abandoned home.

Kathy DeStefano: "I was sitting here and all of a sudden I see not one but two mice at the same time come traveling across here jumping on the floor right by me. I got up, screamed and ran away. I mean I cannot continue to live like this."

Last month Kathy and Mike DeStafano told us they had spent hundreds of dollars trying to rid their home of rodents.

We saw droppings all over the house, all deposited they said in just one night.

Mike DeStefano: "And I opened up the cabinet and there's a mouse standing on top of the flour bag."

They think they were mice like this little guy, but could also be small rats. Both can carry diseases.

The city said it had not been able to get the bank to respond.

Shelia Rose: "There's been numerous attempts to get the bank to maintain the property. It clearly violates city code."

But the bank did send an attorney to a hearing after it was cited by the city for the condition of the foreclosure.

Paul Stuart: "There was a rodent issue there and they have, that is, the bank has taken care of that and we do consider that to be in compliance."

The bank asked for an extension on the clean up.

Matthew Hearne: "We request a 30-day continuance, just to finalize, get the lawn up to the complete standard."

He got the time, but had no time to talk after the hearing.

Carmel Cafiero: "I'd just like to ask you a question or two about what the bank said in there today."

Hearne rushed away without answering any questions about the DeStanfano's issues.

Carmel Cafiero: "Has the bank claimed responsibility for the rodent problem of the neighbors?"

The couple watched him rush away wondering the same thing.

Mike DeStefano: "No one is acknowledging the fact it cost us $600 to treat the rodents that were in the house."

They said they may take Bank of America to small claims court for the money.

With one out of every 53 properties in Broward and Miami-Dade in some stage of foreclosure we can expect more clashes between banks and neighbors when those properties are not maintained.

Mouse house update

A South Florida family has finally found a little relief from a rodent infestation they are convinced came from a foreclosed home next door. However, they're still not satisfied, and investigative reporter Carmel Cafiero is back on the case.

WSVN -- Carmel Cafiero: "Mr. Hearne why are you walking so fast? I'd just like to ask you a question or two."

The lawyer for Bank of America was in a big hurry to leave Coconut Creek City Hall.

He was there about a foreclosed house. The city cited it as a nuisance and safety issue after neighbors complained their home had been invaded by rodents coming from the abandoned home.

Kathy DeStefano: "I was sitting here and all of a sudden I see not one but two mice at the same time come traveling across here jumping on the floor right by me. I got up, screamed and ran away. I mean I cannot continue to live like this."

Last month Kathy and Mike DeStafano told us they had spent hundreds of dollars trying to rid their home of rodents.

We saw droppings all over the house, all deposited they said in just one night.

Mike DeStefano: "And I opened up the cabinet and there's a mouse standing on top of the flour bag."

They think they were mice like this little guy, but could also be small rats. Both can carry diseases.

The city said it had not been able to get the bank to respond.

Shelia Rose: "There's been numerous attempts to get the bank to maintain the property. It clearly violates city code."

But the bank did send an attorney to a hearing after it was cited by the city for the condition of the foreclosure.

Paul Stuart: "There was a rodent issue there and they have, that is, the bank has taken care of that and we do consider that to be in compliance."

The bank asked for an extension on the clean up.

Matthew Hearne: "We request a 30-day continuance, just to finalize, get the lawn up to the complete standard."

He got the time, but had no time to talk after the hearing.

Carmel Cafiero: "I'd just like to ask you a question or two about what the bank said in there today."

Hearne rushed away without answering any questions about the DeStanfano's issues.

Carmel Cafiero: "Has the bank claimed responsibility for the rodent problem of the neighbors?"

The couple watched him rush away wondering the same thing.

Mike DeStefano: "No one is acknowledging the fact it cost us $600 to treat the rodents that were in the house."

They said they may take Bank of America to small claims court for the money.

With one out of every 53 properties in Broward and Miami-Dade in some stage of foreclosure we can expect more clashes between banks and neighbors when those properties are not maintained.

IF YOU HAVE A STORY FOR CARMEL TO INVESTIGATE:

Miami-Dade: 305-627-CLUE

Broward: 954-921-CLUE

E-mail: clue@wsvn.com