Large OC Family, Including Child With Cancer, Blindsided By Eviction
ORANGE (CBS) — An Orange County family was kicked out of their home Thursday morning despite paying the rent on time, and, now, eight people, including a child with cancer, are homeless.
"My brothers and sisters thought because they brought lots of cops that we were criminals or something," said 10-year-old Jesus Ramirez, who is battling Lymphoma. He's undergone six surgeries to treat cancer.
He and his mother were returning from Children's Hospital to the home their family rents in Orange only to find sheriff's deputies serving them an eviction notice. The family had just minutes to grab what they could before the locks were changed behind them.
"The sheriff came and he told us that we had to leave. He gave us 15 minutes. We told him about what happened, the situation we were in, and he said he was just there to do his job and we had to get out,"said Gabriela Ramirez, who lives with her parents and five of her siblings at the home.
"This is all we have right now...that we were able to take out of the house," Gabriela said, as she pointed to a hamper and a plastic organizational dresser inside the family's car.
The family was unaware that the bank had foreclosed on the home in December 2011. They had been diligently paying their $2,200 a month rent on time to the owners.
"The owner never did discuss that with them or give them any notice. They received no notice. And, unfortunately, they received their first notice of the situation last Friday or Thursday. They received a five-day vacate in the name of the owners and occupants -- so it didn't even name them," said Celia Garcia, a family friend.
A realtor came to the home later Thursday and told them they could return to the home -- but never said for how long.
