Home »

Woman Who Housed 28 Haitians Orphans Faces Possible 2nd Eviction

ST. PAUL, Ind. -- A woman who was evicted from a large home where she lived with many orphans is facing complaints from neighbors about the condition of her latest home, 6News' Jeremy Brilliant reported Thursday.

Neighbors have complained about possible code and health violations at a former schoolhouse in rural Shelby County where Kathy Blackburn now lives. The county building inspector and the county health department plan to examine the 20,000-square-foot structure next week, and Blackburn could face an eviction battle, Brilliant reported.

Blackburn said she has been renovating parts of the schoolhouse with the help of her sister and other relatives. She said she sees potential in the building, which she plans to open to people in need.

Many sections are in disrepair. Windows are missing, and trash is piled in parts of the property, Brilliant reported. The roof, Blackburn said, needs to be replaced.

But she said that it would be a shame to condemn the building.

"We will make it nice. We will make it safe and clean," Blackburn said.

In the 1990s and parts of this decade, Blackburn housed 28 Haitian orphans in a 14-bedroom Shelbyville home that was built and donated to her by a local church group.

Last year, with only a small fraction of the 28 still living with her, she was evicted from the home over concerns about conditions inside.

All of the 28 have moved on, Brilliant reported.

Blackburn said she hopes to raise $20,000 to $30,000 for a new roof on the old schoolhouse.