Retirement Community Fights To Evict 6-Year-Old Girl (VIDEO)

A retirement community in Largo, Florida is fighting to evict six-year-old Kimberly Broffman from the home of her grandparents Jimmy and Judie Stottler, the only parents she's ever known. According to the development's bylaws, all residents must be older than 55.

Kimberly is the only person expected to vacate the home.

Kimberly's grandparents have tried selling their house to leave the neighborhood, but because of the crash in the housing market, there are no buyers. They have lowered the price from $225,000 to $129,000.

The fight between Kimberly's grandparents and the community has been going on for years, but soon a judge will decide if the girl must leave. According to NBC News, there is a real possibility that she could be placed in state foster care.

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Comments

[NoSillyName]

Just saw the neighborhood on the news. Nice, regular looking area with big homes and yards. Not like the "retirement communities" I've seen.

[MorpheusXNYC]

Portions of this nation have grown cold and heartless during the last 8 years. Where is compassion, understanding and common sense in this equation?

I fear that too much damage was done by the Republicans, the conservative movement and Fox News' 24/7 broadcasting of racist, chauvanist, fascis and jingoist misinformation for us to have a cohesive society.

Maybe a Northern/Southern secession IS called for.

[scproguy]

I'd wager the majority of the people in this community retired to Largo from Northern states. This isn't a North/South issue.

[BossBabe]

Yes. Thank you. Since I live in Florida, I can attest that what you say is true.

[oberon123]

Who are these mean geezers that live in this retirement community? Trying to throw out a 6 year old child into the streets!! Bet they all voted for Mccain.

[brady61995]

if it goes to court and they lose i would say its time to rent an apartment before foster homes come into play.

[FabulousAt52]

Yeah - they really should not have let it get this far.
Should have sold or rented out that home years ago to avoid this mess altogether!
The grandparents were hoping to fly under the radar forever. Didn't work.

Now they are further sabotaging themselves with a HUGE, unnecessary, inflated home equity loan -- only a MONTH before this came to a head? Oh, yeah, lets not forget the heartfelt "emotional manipulation" they are applying now by saying it's all against an innocent 6 yr old... not them.

Perhaps it's time this innocent kid joins her other sibs with the relatives THEY are living with and
then the grandparents wouldn't be able to exploit her any longer for their own selfish needs.

[BossBabe]

Dear "FabulousAt52,"

Newsflash. You're not fabulous at any age.

[Divotdawwg]

Well, I can die now cos I have officially heard everything. Although this doesn't deal directly with CPS (who I HATE with a passion as they are corrupt and out of control), if this child is evicted and placed in foster care, who do you think is going to come into the home and take her out and place her in foster care? The Easter Bunny? Santa Claus? Fairies? Nope, it will be CPS and once they get their claws into someone's life, they never leave it and the family will never be the same again.

To rip this child out of the only home she's ever known and to separate these loving grandparents from their grandchild is atrocious. It is not right and I hope the judge agrees. I'm sure when they moved in they had no idea this was going to happen but they should NOT have to choose between their home and their grandchild. If they care more about their precious rules than this PRECIOUS child, then something is badly wrong here. At the very least they should buy back the property. I'm sure they want out of there even worse than you want them out, you heartless b*******.

America needs to get behind this family and give them our support. Nobody should be in the business of separating families and that's what they're trying to do here. Do NOT let CPS come in and ruin this family's life. Let them be happy!!!!

[Tyler-Durden]

um, you're freaking out. if you want to help them, help them do right by all, including the law.

if America NEEDS to do anything, it needs to help them find a buyer for their home so they are not in violation. it doesn't NEED to help them violate a law or a regulation they agreed to when they moved in.

Everyone has rights. And no one's rights should be infringed to protect another's. the prop. mgmt has a right to enforce regulations pertaining to "adult communities" based on the The Federal Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995. The people living in the community have a right to the lifestyle they paid for, which is without children in their neighborhood.

so the rights of the child and her grandparents do not come before anyone else's. contact a realtor down there, and offer to pay their commission to find them a buyer.

otherwise, you're just ranting.

[TotallyAmazed]

Well stated, and I think you covered it all. T/A

[textynn]

As I get older I need young people around to help me carry and pick up things, etc. Gone are the days that I can load a lawnmower in a truck . Many older people need help with just groceries.

Young people around can preserve a person's ability to live independently. Those old coots should think about that.

[FabulousAt52]

In most of these communities the lawn is mowed for you, the sidewalks and driveways plowed out, and there are many small, privately owned service businesses that cater to senior community - they offer house keeping services, food shopping and delivery services, etc. The community itself often offers transportation to doctor's offices, malls, theaters, etc for those who no longer drive.

It's not a concentration camp or a secluded cult camp. It's a COMMUNITY... just older folks who still enjoy life for the most part - like anyone else. I don't see why so many people are so outraged about them...

[textynn]

I can see that they want to live in a community of older people. But to demand that the age of the people around them is perfectly homogeneous is unnatural and inflexible. Even if they do have paid help, the day will come earlier when they have to move to an old folks home if they can't have anyone around that can help them stay in their home that is not of a certain age. Personally, I hope I never get so old that I don't want people of all ages around me.

[AndyMax]

I've been checking out the blogs and news sources on this and it's running about 90/10 to let the girls stay until the house sells. It figures. There are about 10% of the people out there who could care less about this precious six year old girl. They are as hateful as they come.
The 6 year old's name is Kimberly - the one the Lakes Homeowners association is trying to throw out. She is a beautiful and helpless little girl living out this nightmare.
The only way to appease the "Child Haters" is to sue them, and that's what will happen eventually. I live in Pinellas County Florida and I can PROMISE that the girl will not be thrown to the state wolves by an elected or appointed Judge in our county.
I've got two small grand-daughters living with me and my wife. If anyone tried to evict them into state custody I would become very, very violent.
I've already called Leland Wheeler (Lake HOA Chaiman) this morning and I told him that he should grant a Stay until the house sells. He told me to call his lawyer. Maybe a few thousand more angry calls to him might turn the tide - with him, maybe not. It might take 10,000.
His number is 727-573-9289 - that's land-line public information. Come on, this little girl is worth standing up for. If not, then nothing else on earth is.

Andy Andrews
Seminole, Florida USA

[Siara]

I think it's really horrible that you're posting people's numbers. I wouldn't do that to anyone.

Why don't you post your own home phone # while you're at it? Obviously, you don't see anything wrong with it.

[AndyMax]

Siara, leland's phone number was posted right here yesterday. Don't change the subject - that's not what this is about.
Mr Leland stepped out in front of the Pinellas TV stations releshing in the fact that he was the man getting the family evicted. Since he did that, he is my mortal enemy for doing so. I want people to call him and chew him out. That's what I want. Are we clear?

On this particular incident there is no middle-ground (which I always try to take as well). But here and now, You are either AGAINST Kimberly getting thrown to the wolves or you are FOR Kimberly getting thrown to the wolves. Don't try to avoid the issue with me - it won't work on me, please.
I'm on Kimberly's side. After all, she is a six YEAR OLD GIRL. I want the family left alone until the house sells. That's in HER BEST INTEREST - you know, the SIX YEAR OLD LITTLE GIRL NAMED KIMBERLY.
Try writing her name in your next email. After all, that's what this is all about, isn't it?

[Tyler-Durden]

hey Andy,

you're such a community involved citizen; why don't you hire a realtor to get their house sold and pay the commission?

[TotallyAmazed]

So, you live in a 'retirement community', Andy? Hmmm. I hate to tell you but you would just have to "...become very, very violent...", because, if you were living in one of these types of villages or communities YOU would be in violation of the agreement you signed when you moved in.

Personally, I'll stand up for the residents of the 'community' who have done absolutely ZERO wrong. Actually, they've been a whole lot more tolerant than most people who I know who live in retirements communities.

It has nothing to do with hating children. I would wager that 99% of all residents in these communities have grandchildren of their own. They welcome their grandchildren into their home for visits that meet the criteria of the agreements they signed when they chose their particular community.

You're barking up the wrong tree and putting blame on people who deserve none. It's a sad situation, but the grandparents of this girl are 100% IN THE WRONG.

They need to get out. They've been there with this child long enough.

[ReginaldPGress]

AndyMax, you are a bully, pure and simple. As I read this post and the replies to it, with your interspersed INTERNET SHOUTING and desperate attempt to define the discussion only in your own terms, that can be the only explanation.

You would become "...very, very violent?" Hmmm. 'Nuff said.

[Siara]

I know I'm going to get flamed for saying this, but it seems like the question is, "is it legal to have age restricted communities or not?" If it's legal, these people have had 4 years to work on this situation which takes us back to a major housing boom when they could probably have sold their house for a huge profit. In addition, it's difficult for me to believe they could inherit the house without also inheriting some sort of grandfathered in clause that exempts them from this.

The people got the house knowing the restrictions, ended up raising their grand daughter and decided to blow off the rules of the community because they didn't feel like moving. The situation happened way before our current recession/­depression started, in the middle of a housing boom. They made a decision to do this. They didn't HAVE to.

If it's legal to have age restrictions in a retirement community and the other people wanted to buy houses with no kids around I don't understand them (BTW- I have 2 kids, 2 step kids and 3 grandkids myself and love having kids around) but they have a right to complain. If it's not legal they don't have a right to complain.

The law isn't an emotional issue. The emotional outbursts being expressed here support my personal lifestyle but they don't have much to do with the law.

[deepintheheartoftejas]

It's legal. See the Housing of Older Persons Act of 1995 that amended the Fair Housing Act. Most senior housing, in fact, bans anyone 18 or under from living there.

[moseyon]

Who would by that house??
Fancy having to live amongst, that bunch of old wrinkles. YUK.
By the way I am an old wrinkle also.

[Roses]

One can HAVE wrinkles (not bad) or be one (bad).

[KarmaGirl]

Landline phone numbers are public information.

Homeowner president Leland Wheeler:
[phone]

[kk78]

oh yes the yuppie in the hat

[Matt7]

Do you REALLY believe in harassing everyone you disagree with?

[Tyler-Durden]

wow. THERE'S some irony.

giving out numbers to harass people who are legally in the right?

karma girl will get her karma.

[Onthepotomac]

Do unto others as you would have others do unto you....

Those selfish, evil, old meanies will probably be dumped by their kids in the future. Things have a strange way of coming back to haunt.

[ReginaldPGress]

The whole "do unto others" saying should really say "Do unto others as THEY would have YOU do unto them!" In other words, in dealing with ME, respect MY wishes!
Not everyone loves children, wants children around, or can even tolerate children. We are all children of someone, but ask 100 parents if they really *like* parenting their kids... when you cut past the facade and the societal pressures to say "yes" you will find a lot of "NO FLIPPING WAY". Kids can be outrageously difficult to live with, with their very high energy, self-centeredness, their tantrums... sheesh!
I say "do unto these others as they have clearly stated they would have you do..." They are not evil, old, and selfish. They are desirous of some peace from the demands and intrusions of children. I find nothing wrong with that. If you feel differently about having children around, then so be it. You can, hopefully, choose a place to live where you can have them around. These folks want to be without them, and if you can't respect the validity of that choice, perhaps you need a bit more perspective and compassion than you are currently capable of.

[CR46]

I hope these senior citizens remember that age discrimination can go both ways.

[Matt7]

I'm sure they already know ALL about it.

[Berkeleylefty]

Beddoe

[Fingerbo]

One kid in the whole community and these mean fossils can't cope? Wow. They must be some mean grandparents.

[Siara]

I wonder what led them to buy a property there in the first place. The entire situation seems bizarre. What happens if someone's 22 year old can't find a job after college? Are they banned from the community?

[kk78]

it was inherited

[Berkeleylefty]

some HOA bylaws make for some interesting reading...you'd be sprised what some HOA's put into those things...

[indylindy]

Yes, the 22 year old would be banned as well

[TotallyAmazed]

Do you people know NOTHING about these communities, or, are you just trying to show how little you know?

In answer to your questions:

1) What makes people buy property in these 'retirement communities' in the first place is their desire to live in a 'retirement community' which legally restricts anyone 55 or younger from living there. They are advertised as such, their contracts are discussed and agreed upon as such, and anyone moving in is FULLY aware of the restrictions. They want to live there because they are in neighborhoods of people like themselves, with similar interests. Get it?

2) You're right. The fact that this situation has been allowed to exist for nearly 5 years IS bizarre.

3) Yes. If someone's 22 year-old can't find a job after college they are banned from moving in for longer than the agreement says they can stay as a guest. Many people find this a good thing - since it would force a 22 year-old to be an adult and figure out what he or she is going to do, since mom and dad are bound by a contract that keeps them from being allowed to move in full time.

I can't believe that you people have no clue what a 'retirement community' is all about.

[FabulousAt52]

No, most senior communities allow ONE "child" over 21 to live with parent/parents who own (or rent) the home. That is assuming, of course, it is a two-bedroom place and not a one-bedroom. The CO for a one bedroom place may only allow 2 adults and that's it.

My 25 yr old daughter is going to live with us for another two years - once we move to a retirement community in the spring- (she's finishing up an advanced degree).
Perfectly 'legal'.

[Siara]

To be honest, the grandparents sound a bit odd as well. They'd rather put the kid into foster care than rent out their house?

[cuomofied]

Exactly my point. But there irrational emotional outbursts seem to be forgetting that.

[indylindy]

what? they never said that. they said they would never allow her to go to foster care. I imagine the bylaws also prohibit them from renting the home out. I am sure they would already have done that if they could. Why would they want to be around jerks like this if they could rent the home and move somewhere where people actually cared about their neighbors?

[Siara]

"Kimberly is the only person expected to vacate the home."

[xmw]

Now I'm with you. Those were my thoughts. Why not rent out the property. In a bad situation one of two things will always happen. Either the situation changes or you change to adapt to it. They're trying to stand on principles??? People go to their graves daily because of principles. I see both sides. The HOA obviously is simply enforcing the desires of the other residents. Others may have a need to let family move in too....where do you draw the line???

[Roses]

Many planned developments (like this one) have retrictions on renting. They may not be able to rent out their own house.

[Waltfl]

Yeah, why not just rent, or simply buy a new house. Because those people are on a fixed income and probably are under water with their mortgage, like most people in Florida.

[D Powers]

Maybe the HOA should put their money where their mouths are and simply buy the damn house!

Wouldn’t it be rich if this young girl grew up to be a caregiver and about 20 years from now was wiping Leland’s ass!

[CitizenV]

Homeowners Association.... Go ahead and take advantage of man's law without using a moral compass to temper your decisions. Just following the law. This would be the same excuse that the guards at Auschwitz, Sobibor, Treblinka, Belzec, Buchenwald would use just to name a few. But hey, that's just following orders.

God has his own law that you should be firmly aware of considering your advanced ages: "And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck." To put it simply, you are pretty arrogant to attack a child and think God isn't watching.