A retired Atlanta police officer who has battled cancer is now in a fight to keep her home. Retired APD Det. Jacqueline Barber could be evicted on Thursday, and she says if that happens, authorities will have to physically remove her from the house.
Barber bought her Fayetteville home 7 years ago for $475,000. She put no money down on the purchase—financing the entire amount. Now, according to property records, the home is worth half of the purchase price, and she faces foreclosure.
Barber's four grandchildren live with her, and she's helping raise them. But if she's evicted, they will all be out on the street.
She tells FOX 5 she was able to afford the home when she bought it, but hard times came when she was hurt on the job and her adjustable mortgage went up. Then, doctors diagnosed her with cancer, and she underwent a bone marrow transplant. Barber says all the while, she was trying to get her loan modified.
Wells Fargo, who had the original mortgage on the property, tells FOX 5 they worked with Barber for more than four years to try and help her stay in the house. They say once the property went into foreclosure, the responsibility went to the new bank owner.
Barber says she was notified that the house was sold to U.S. Bank, and she has tried to buy it back. She hopes that might still happen, but she claims the bank will not allow her or any member of her family to buy the house back.
Barber's friend, retired APD Lieutenant Joyce Sanders, says former co-workers are supporting her, doing everything they can to try and stop the eviction. Occupy Atlanta protestors have also joined in to support Barber, saying police officers are part of the 99 percent.
FOX 5 reached out to U.S. Bank, and they say due to the Columbus Day bank holiday, they have not been able to confirm that they have the loan. They say it's possible that they are the trustee, but that a third party now holds the mortgage.
Barber is scheduled to be in court on Thursday, and she is hoping she'll get to stay in her house.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:06 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:06:52 GMT
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:00:01 GMT
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:32 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:32:57 GMT
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:28:55 GMT
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:50:02 GMT
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
