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WINONA LAKE - Kosciusko County Health Department ruled property at 104 15th St., Winona Lake, "unfit for human habitat," Friday and the Winona Lake Town Council condemned the property Monday because of "unsanitary conditions likely to cause sickness."
County Health Administrator Robert Weaver condemned the property last week when he visited the owners and gave them 15 days to "clean up or move out."
Weaver sent copies of the condemnation letter to the Winona Lake Police Department, the town council and Karen Saint, the owner of the property.
Both the Health Department and Child Care Service received complaints from the police department concerning the condition of the house.
"This particular house has been a problem almost since I've been working here, on and off," Weaver said. Weaver has been working for the Health Department for approximately 10 years.
According to health inspector Tara Still, the Health Department has been working with this property for a while and has told Saint several times to clean it up. Still said Saint was given deadlines that were never met and the Health Department had no choice but to condemn the place.
"We give them five to 15 days to make corrections or move out," Still said. "And he (Weaver) gave them 15 (days)."
Weaver and Child Protective Services went out to the property a month ago and saw trash inside and outside the house and a cockroach infestation at the house. The Health Department even offered to haul trash away if the Saint cleaned up. A month later "it was just as bad if not worse," Weaver said.
He also said there were at least three dogs living in the house and "they probably didn't go out as much as they should. It just needed a thorough cleaning."
Weaver said he saw only one child on the property. "I think it's their grandchild," he said.
Saint has until Aug. 5 to clean the property or move out.
"There's a good chance they've cleaned up," Weaver said. "I hope they do."
