Washington

One of my daughter's friends from middle school who now lives in Vancouver reached out to her for help about two weeks ago. She has congestive heart failure and is a single mother of two young children. She lives in a mobile home. Last week we went over (we live in Oregon near the Gorge) to help her with cleaning thinking it would be a one-day job. I believe this was one of the most horrific things I have had to deal with in my life. I don't think anything has been cleaned in 2+ years. Everything was piled high almost to the ceiling. The kitchen was full of dishes everywhere with food that had been there for heaven knows how long. My daughter said probably several generations of maggots. It turns out the kitchen sink was broken, so I had to wash dishes in the bathtub. Yesterday we went over to work more on the kitchen and the children's' bedrooms. My daughter had to deal with more maggots and cockroaches. I worked in the kids' rooms. The floors were covered with layers of food, toys, clothes, etc. It was so overwhelming. We left the kids with space in the rooms to play. They were so overjoyed. We will go back in a few days, and I will bring my husband to help with moving heavy stuff and dealing with broken furniture in the little boy's room. We have no idea what more we will encounter when we continue to peel back the layers. All the floors are covered in filth several inches deep.

We have to decompress for hours when we return home. The kids want to come live with us, even though their grandparents live nearby. My daughter's friend told us yesterday that CPS has been there twice. It was beyond our comprehension that the children have not been removed from this home. We were hoping to help her get a case manager once we are able (if that is even possible) to get this nightmare under control. The mother can barely function/walk. Now there doesn't seem to be a point in calling CPS in Vancouver/Clark County if they already know the conditions of the home. It is a nightmare. Sigh!