Family claims the father was manipulated by homeless woman and her boyfriend, who refuse to leave their property
A 76-year-old Colorado man with dementia is at the center of a troubling squatter case after a homeless woman and her family allegedly took over his home, started a mushroom-growing operation, and refused to leave. William Towns’ daughters say their father, who has lived in his Colorado Springs home for 50 years, was taken advantage of after he offered help to the woman he met while walking his dog.
Squatters manipulate elderly man
According to Towns’ daughters, the homeless woman initially offered to do household chores, but her presence quickly escalated. She moved her 15-year-old son, her boyfriend, and two inoperable vehicles into the house, claiming residency. As tensions grew, her boyfriend reportedly harassed Towns and his family, provoking altercations with both the elderly man and strangers visiting the property.
“Now, our dad feels unsafe in his own home,” the daughters wrote on a GoFundMe page to raise legal fees, citing that the squatters were living comfortably as though the house was their own.
Criminal activity inside the home
The situation worsened when Towns’ daughters discovered that the squatters had begun a mushroom-growing operation inside the living room and were engaging in other illegal activities, including underage drug use. They also reportedly flashed firearms at the home’s security cameras and left water and lights running unnecessarily, adding to the family’s distress.
“There was never an agreement by our dad, mom, or any family members allowing these people to take permanent residency,” the daughters wrote, accusing the squatters of exploiting legal loopholes to stay in the home.
Legal challenges and lack of police intervention
Despite numerous calls to the Colorado Springs Police Department, Towns’ family says that law enforcement has been unable to help. Because the squatters were initially invited into the home, police claim that the situation does not qualify as trespassing, leaving the family to pursue costly eviction proceedings.
“We feel so helpless,” the family expressed. “We are losing trust in the system’s ability to keep our community safe. It’s unbearable and unacceptable that our parents feel scared to live in their own home.”
The legal road ahead
Real estate attorney Kevin Hughes explained that eviction is a lengthy legal process, even when squatters refuse to leave. The process can take several months, requiring written notice and a court order. In this case, the father’s dementia adds further complications, as his mental state may require legal guardianship before any action can be taken.
“This isn’t their first rodeo,” the daughters lamented, pointing to the squatters’ ability to exploit the system. While the Towns family faces mounting legal expenses, the squatters benefit from free legal services and waived court fees.
The family continues to pursue legal action, hoping to regain control of their father’s home while contending with the emotional and financial toll of the ordeal.
