Family who 'fled home because it was infested with snakes' launch $2m lawsuit against estate agent and prior owner
A couple's 4-year-old son found the first snake
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A couple in the US state of Maryland have launched a $2million (£1.3m) lawsuit against an estate agent, claiming the firm knowing sold them a home crawling with snakes.
Jeff and Jody Brooks have said their family was driven out of their home in Annapolis because it was infested with the over a dozen of the creatures, with the problem stemming from the basement formerly used as children’s playroom.
The family bought the house in December, and the couple’s 4-year-old son discovered the first snake months after they moved in, according to the family’s lawyer Matthew Evans.
The Brooks are now launching legal action against real estate agent Barbara Van Horn, Champion Realty and ex-homeowner Joan Broseker, the Capital Gazette reported.
A snake inspector soon discovered black rat snakes, snakeskins, dens, tunnels and faeces in the property, and said it was so overrun with the animals that it was unsafe for children, the lawsuit claims.
One pest control company advised the couple that their only option was to “burn the house down and let it sit for 15 years,” after the creatures were found to have tunnelled through the building’s insulation, ABC News reported.
The family gave up hope of returning to their home after they spent nearly $60,000 on pest control.
Van Horn declined to comment to the Capital Gazette. An attorney for Van Horn and Champion Realty told the Associated Press that the company doesn't comment on ongoing litigation.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments