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Heather: I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT IN MY LIFE.
THE SMELL ALONE MAKES YOU NOT WANT TO BE IN THAT HOUSE.
THIS JUNK, ALL THIS STUFF, IS STARTING TO HUG AROUND ME,
LIKE THE WALLS ARE CAVING IN.
JOHN'S ON PROBATION
BECAUSE HE'S FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE FIRE CODE.
HE HAS 180 DAYS IN JAIL HANGING OVER HIS HEAD.
Heather: DO YOU GUYS REALLY THINK YOU CAN LIVE LIKE THIS?
I JUST GAVE BIRTH TO MY AND JOSEPH'S BABY.
WHERE ARE YOU GONNA PUT THE BABY AT?
DON'T SET THERE AND LECTURE ME BEING A [BLEEP] PARENT.
STOP!
MY HEART DROPPED.
IT SEEMED LIKE SEVERAL CATS WERE CRYING
ALL AT THE SAME TIME.
Reed: WE SUSPECT THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE
SOME RESISTANCE TO THAT.
SO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE AN OFFICER HERE.
[BLEEP] [BLEEP]
Cheryl: JOSEPH.
[BLEEP] NOSY-*** NEIGHBORS!
JOSEPH SAID HE WANTED TO HURT SOMEBODY.
LET GO! WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO ABOUT IT?
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
I'M CHERYL, AND JOSEPH IS MY BOYFRIEND.
OUR LIVING SITUATION RIGHT NOW IS ME AND JOSEPH
AND HIS DAD, JOHN.
I FOUND THIS BOXED NET,
AND THIS, IT JUST NEEDS TO BE CLEANED, SEE?
YOU MEAN BASSINET?
YEAH, BASSINET. I'M SORRY.
I JUST GAVE BIRTH TO MY AND JOSEPH'S BABY.
I DO LOVE JOSEPH. I LOVE JOSEPH A LOT.
BUT THE HOARDING IS LIKE LIVING
IN A GARAGE FULL OF A LOT OF STUFF.
Narrator: THE CLUTTER COLLECTING
ON THE LAWN OF THIS HOUSE IN CINCINNATI, OHIO,
HINTS TO A LARGER PROBLEM INSIDE THE HOME.
John: THIS IS MY LIVING ROOM. EXCUSE THE MESS RIGHT NOW.
I MEAN, I BEEN TRYING TO CLEAN IT UP.
SORRY IT LOOKS THIS BAD.
I'M JOHN. I'M 47, AND I'M A JUNKER, AND I LIKE IT.
I'M NOT GONNA JOKE YOU. I GET THIS STUFF CHEAP.
AND TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, WHEN YOU BUY THESE FOR $4.99,
A BRAND-NEW SOCKET SET, YOU GONNA GRAB THEM,
'CAUSE WE GO THROUGH TOOLS LIKE CRAZY.
THAT'S BRAND-NEW STUFF, NEVER BEEN USED.
RIGHT NOW, THIS CASE WITH JOHN AND JOSEPH
HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS.
WHAT YOU WOULD TYPICALLY CALL HOARDERS,
JOHN AND JOSEPH ARE MORE JUNKERS,
WHERE THEY WANT TO RESELL IT OR STRIP IT
OR TAKE IT TO A SALVAGE YARD AND GET THE METAL OUT OF IT.
I WANT TO SHOW YOU SOMETHING. THIS IS MY BIGGEST THING.
YOU'RE TALKING --
YOU'RE TALKING $300, $400 CELLPHONES IN HERE.
HERE'S A WHOLE BOX OF CELLPHONES.
THERE'S, I MEAN, A WHOLE BOX OF THEM.
I GET A CELLPHONE, I'LL USE ONE FOR A COUPLE DAYS,
GET SICK OF IT, AND I KEEP SWITCHING THEM.
IT'S MORE JOHN HOARDING.
JOSEPH BRINGS STUFF IN,
AND THEY KIND OF FEED OFF OF EACH OTHER.
Joseph: I THINK I'M A HOARDER,
BECAUSE WHEN I FIND SOMETHING REALLY COOL,
I HAS TO DEBATE -- DO I REALLY WANT TO KEEP IT,
OR DO I WANT TO SELL OR GET RID OF IT?
I MIGHT BE ABLE TO SHOW --
'CAUSE I KNOW YOU SAID YOU WANT TO SEE.
Narrator: BUT NOT EVERYTHING
IN JOHN AND JOSEPH'S HOUSE IS JUNK.
LIVING UNDER ALL OF THE CLUTTER
IS THE OCCASIONAL TREASURE HE CAN'T PUT A PRICE ON.
GRAB THE JACKET, 'CAUSE I WANT TO SHOW HER.
LIKE I SAY, THIS IS MORE VALUABLE THAN, WELL, ANYTHING.
I MEAN...
REBA, I AM YOUR NUMBER-ONE FAN. I LOVE YOU.
I ALWAYS WEAR IT.
I'M JUST AFRAID I'M GONNA TEAR IT OR SOMETHING
OR GETTING IT GREASY, AND THEN, LIKE --
'CAUSE THERE YOU SEE.
BE HONEST WITH YOU -- I WISH I WAS MARRIED TO HER.
BUT IT WON'T NEVER WORK.
Joseph: WELL...
BE HONEST WITH YOU, BETWEEN GOD AND HER...
I DON'T KNOW.
RIGHT NOW, MY KITCHEN IS VERY, VERY, VERY MESSY.
IT'S VERY EMBARRASSING,
AND TRUTHFUL, I DON'T KNOW HOW IT GOT LIKE IT.
THE OVEN -- IT STILL WORKS. IT WORKS.
IT'S JUST PILED UP BECAUSE I GOT ALL MY PHONES IN THERE.
IN MY OVEN, I USE IT FOR A SAFE.
I PUT ALL MY CELLPHONES
AND ANY PERSONAL DOCUMENT, PAPERS, AND THIS AND THAT.
THERE'S A $300 BLACKBERRY.
WOULD YOU THINK ABOUT, I MEAN,
ME PUTTING CELLPHONES IN AN OVEN?
MAN, IF THAT THING EVER COME ON, POP, POP.
MAN, WOW. BE A LOT OF COOKED PHONES.
SO...
THIS IS MY ROOM, AND WHAT A MESS.
THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY FOR THIS ONE.
I DON'T EVEN LIKE LOOKING AT IT MYSELF.
BUT, LIKE I SAID, IN THIS ROOM,
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START.
NOW, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU,
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT'S BEHIND ALL THAT STUFF.
THIS JUNK, ALL THIS STUFF, IS STARTING TO HUG AROUND ME.
I'VE GOT CLAUSTROPHOBIA.
IT'S STARTING TO -- LIKE THE WALLS ARE CAVING IN.
Narrator: BUT WHILE JOHN MAY FEEL
AS THOUGH SPACE IS RUNNING OUT,
THERE ARE AT LEAST A DOZEN OTHERS LIVING IN THE HOUSE
WITH EVEN LESS ROOM TO MOVE.
[ CATS MEOWING ]
THE CATS ARE MY FAMILY, TOO. I GOT MORE CATS THAN KIDS.
John: THEY STAY IN THE CAGES, WHEN, LIKE I SAY,
WHEN WE'RE BUSY OR SOMETHING, 'CAUSE THEY FIGHT AND STUFF.
BUT YOU CAN HEAR. THEY'RE HAPPY.
[ CATS MEOWING ]
THIS ONE -- THIS IS MY BRAT.
THIS IS MY BRAT. AIN'T SHE PRETTY?
THIS IS MY BRAT. THAT MY BRAT.
Joseph: SHE'S WILD.
OUR GOAL IS, ONCE WE CLEAR OUT THE HOUSE,
THEY HAVE THE WHOLE ENTIRE HOUSE TO EXPLORE AND RUN AROUND.
Narrator: BUT CREATING A LIVABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR CATS
IS THE LEAST OF THEIR CONCERNS.
AT THIS VERY MOMENT, JOSEPH AND HIS GIRLFRIEND, CHERYL,
HAVE A NEWBORN BABY WAITING TO COME HOME.
HE WAS ONLY 1 POUND AND 10.1 OUNCES.
HE'S VERY TINY.
AND THEY TOOK HIM TO THE NICU,
WHICH IS WHERE HE'S STILL AT RIGHT NOW.
THIS -- THIS HOUSE IS NOT GOOD FOR A BABY AT ALL.
JOE AND CHERYL'S BABY CANNOT BE LIVING IN THE HOUSE RIGHT NOW,
BUT I DID MAKE THEM A PROMISE --
TIME THE BABY'S READY TO COME HOME,
THE HOUSE WILL BE READY, TOO.
I AM BEGINNING TO PANIC THAT TIME IS RUNNING OUT,
BECAUSE WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN
WHEN THE BABY GETS OUT OF THE HOSPITAL
AND NONE OF THIS IS DONE?
IF THIS HOUSE DON'T GET CLEAR,
WELL, WE LOSE THE HOUSE, WE LOSE THE SON,
WE LOSE EVERYTHING.
JOE IS JUST A REMAKE AFTER ME.
THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY.
HE GOES OUT JUNKING AND BRINGS STUFF IN,
AND HE JUST... [ SIGHS ]
HI, DAD.
HEY, CHERYL, I GOT THIS FOR YOU...
NO, I'M GOOD.
...IF WE DON'T SCRAP IT.
LOOK. SEE?
NO, I'M GOOD. I'M GOOD.
I DON'T NEED NO LITTLE GIRL'S SCOOTER.
I'M GOOD.
YOU AIN'T NO FUN.
Narrator: WITH CHERYL AND JOSEPH'S FIRST CHILD
WAITING AT THE HOSPITAL TO COME HOME,
IT'S CRITICAL THAT THIS FATHER-SON DUO
OF COMPULSIVE HOARDERS
CLEAR THE DECADES OF CLUTTER IMMEDIATELY.
YOU COULD GIVE THAT TO ONE OF YOUR SISTERS.
Narrator: IN THE MEANTIME,
NEIGHBORS IN THIS SUBURB OF CINCINNATI
HAVE LOST PATIENCE FOR THE GROWING PILES
JUST ACROSS THE FENCE FROM THEIR PROPERTY.
I'VE LIVED NEXT TO JOHN AND JOE HERE FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS,
AND THEIR HOARDING PROBLEM HAS BECOME JUST GIGANTIC.
AND IT JUST -- IT'S AN EYESORE.
THEY'RE GOOD PEOPLE AT HEART,
BUT IT HAS BEEN VERY TENSE IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
YEAH.
LET THEM BE.
Narrator: TERESA IS ANOTHER OF JOHN AND JOSEPH'S NEIGHBORS.
FOR YEARS, SHE HAS TRIED TO PERSUADE THEM
TO CLEAR THEIR PROPERTY, BUT TO NO AVAIL.
HELLO.
HI, TERESA.
HI. Y'ALL CLEANING UP OVER THERE FINALLY?
YEAH.
YEAH?
YOU KNOW YOU GOT TO GET THIS CLEANED UP
SO THE NEIGHBORHOOD CAN LOOK BACK PRETTY AGAIN.
GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT HERE
WANTING THIS TO BE CLEANED UP.
THIS NEIGHBORHOOD AIN'T NEVER GONNA LOOK GOOD.
THIS NEIGHBORHOOD AIN'T GONNA GET NO BETTER.
WELL, YOU'RE NOT MAKING IT ANY BETTER.
YEAH.
IT'S EMBARRASSING, AND IT ACTUALLY MAKES ME SICK.
IT'S MADE ME CLOSE ALL OF MY BLINDS AT ALL TIMES,
BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT
FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE WHEN I'M EATING DINNER.
WHAT IS GOING ON OVER HERE, LIKE IN THE GARAGE AND STUFF?
WHAT'S GOING ON?
WELL, IN OUR GARAGE IS REALLY NOBODY'S BUSINESS,
BE TECHNICAL.
WHAT'S IN OUR HOUSE IS OUR BUSINESS,
AND WHATEVER'S OUT HERE, I AGREE WITH Y'ALL.
IT'S MY BUSINESS, 'CAUSE I CAN'T HAVE COMPANY.
WELL, IT NEVER STOPPED YOU BEFORE.
JOSEPH.
IT HAS STOPPED ME BEFORE.
YOU HAVEN'T SEEN ANYBODY OVER HERE.
NO, IT HAS NOT.
JOSEPH.
PAY FOR ME A PRIVACY FENCE.
I DON'T HAS TO PAY FOR IT, IF YOU DON'T.
THIS JUNK WAS HERE BEFORE YOU MOVED IN.
PAY FOR ME A PRIVACY FENCE
SO YOU CAN KEEP ALL YOUR JUNK THAT YOU WANT TO.
THE JUNK WAS HERE BEFORE YOU MOVE IN.
NO, IT WAS NOT.
YES, IT WAS.
YES, IT WAS.
MY GRANDPA GETS HIS CRAP AND STUFF.
WE GOT [BLEEP] BIKES RIGHT HERE...
YOUR JUNK WAS NOT HERE.
...HAD A [BLEEP] TARP.
WE HAD A FORD -- A FORD TRUCK.
John: JOSEPH.
I'VE GOT TO TRY TO KEEP THEM BOTH CALM
A LOT OF THE TIMES, YOU KNOW.
YOU KNOW, "IT'S NOT REALLY A GOOD IDEA,"
YOU KNOW, "WHY YOU WANT TO ADD TO IT MORE?
IT'S JUST GONNA END UP SOMEBODY IN JAIL."
OKAY.
DON'T CALL ME A [BLEEP] LIAR.
THAT'S WHAT THEY REALLY WANT HIM TO DO.
THEY WANT TO BAIT THEM INTO GETTING THEM SO ANGRY
THAT THEY WANT TO FIGHT SO THEY CAN CALL THE COPS,
AND THEN IT ADDS TO MORE OF THE SITUATION.
[BLEEP] [BLEEP]
STOP! STOP!
OH, YEAH, YEAH.
STOP!
[BLEEP]
STOP!
GET OVER HERE.
Narrator: THIS ONGOING FEUD HAS PROMPTED
SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AGAINST JOHN AND JOE.
AS A RESULT,
CAPTAIN STEVE COLDIRON OF THE CINCINNATI FIRE DEPARTMENT
HAS BECOME VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE FATHER AND SON...
HI, JOHN.
...AS WELL AS THE HOARDING SITUATION.
I CAME OUT HERE 2 1/2 YEARS AGO, STARTED THE CASE,
BECAUSE ALL THE NEIGHBORS COMPLAINED.
WENT INSIDE, FOUND OUT WHAT WE FIGURED WAS GONNA BE HOARDING,
THAT IT WAS TRUE.
AND WE STARTED A CASE FROM THERE.
Coldiron: JOHN, JOSEPH, I'M JUST HERE TODAY
TO CHECK ON THE PROGRESS, KIND OF GIVE YOU AN IDEA,
LIKE WE'VE DISCUSSED FOR THE PAST 2 1/2 YEARS,
WHAT WE NEED TO GET DONE SO YOU CAN MOVE ON
SO I CAN GIVE A GOOD REPORT TO THE COURT NEXT WEEK.
THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS.
OKAY? OKAY? SO, YOU WANT TO GO ON IN?
JOHN'S ON PROBATION
BECAUSE HE'S FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE FIRE CODE
TO CLEAN UP THE RESIDENTIAL STORAGE ISSUES
HE HAS BOTH INSIDE AND OUT, WHICH IS A SAFETY PROBLEM.
WE WANT TO JUST GET THE COMPLIANCE
FOR HIM AND FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD,
BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT DOES HAVE
180 DAYS IN JAIL HANGING OVER HIS HEAD.
ALL RIGHT.
THAT'S QUITE A RESERVE OF ELECTRONICS.
COLDIRON, I GOT A VCR FOR EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.
EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK, YOU GOT ONE.
REALLY FOR EVERY DAY OF THE MONTH.
LOOK AT THE STORAGE STACKED UP TO THE CEILING THERE.
YOU NEED AT LEAST TWO FOOT OF CLEARANCE.
AND IT HAS TO BE BACK --
I MEAN, I CAN'T EVEN GET TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BED.
I JUST DIDN'T WANT HIM TO KEEP REPEATING THE THINGS,
BECAUSE I DONE KNOW WHAT HE SAID I HAD TO DO,
AND I JUST GOT TIRED OF HEARING IT.
I KNOW WHAT I HAD TO DO. I KNOW.
I ONLY NEED TO BE TOLD ONCE WHAT I NEED TO DO.
OKAY, I SEE YOU'VE PUT MORE STUFF ON THE STAIRS.
LOOKS LIKE YOU MOVED IT OUT.
YEP.
AND I SEE IT'S STILL STACKED UP
PRETTY HIGH TO THE CEILINGS HERE.
REMEMBER, I SAID YOU GOT TO HAVE AT LEAST 2 FEET OF CLEARANCE,
AND I MEAN, YOU HAVE IT BUTTED RIGHT UP THERE,
RIGHT NEAR ALL THIS ELECTRIC.
YEP.
YOU GOT YOUR FURNACE AND WATER HEATER BACK OVER HERE.
[ CATS MEOWING ]
HOW MANY CATS DO YOU HAVE?
I MEAN, I NEVER SEE THESE CATS OUT OF THEIR CAGES.
THEY WAS OUT YESTERDAY, WASN'T HE?
I MEAN, EVERY TIME I'M HERE,
I ONLY SEE THEM IN THEIR CAGES.
NO, THEY'RE OUT. THEY'RE OUT. BELIEVE ME.
THAT'S NOT MUCH OF A LIFE FOR THESE CATS,
AND, YEAH, I MEAN, MAYBE YOU NEED TO LOOK
AT SEEING ABOUT REDUCING HOW MANY CATS YOU HAVE.
NO?
THEY'RE JUST LIKE MY KIDS.
OKAY.
LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO OUTSIDE,
BECAUSE THAT IS AN ISSUE ALSO.
SO, LET'S GO AHEAD AND MOVE UP AND OUT.
WITH JOHN AND JOSEPH,
A LOT OF THE NEIGHBORS HAVE COMPLAINED.
THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF THREATS AND ALTERCATIONS.
OBVIOUSLY, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE OUTSIDE,
YOU WOULD SEE ALL THE CARS, ALL THE STORAGE OUTSIDE.
I MEAN, I KNOW YOU GUYS DO A LOT OF SCRAPPING OF THIS STUFF,
BUT ELECTRONICS ARE NOT MADE TO BE STORED OUTSIDE.
THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY NOT WORKING.
THEY'VE BEEN OUT HERE FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.
I THINK IT WILL WORK.
THEY'VE BEEN GUTTED.
NO, IT WON'T WORK.
SO, ALL THIS OUTSIDE STUFF IS AN ISSUE FOR THE NEIGHBORS.
IT OBVIOUSLY AFFECTS THEM.
THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE IT. THEY DON'T WANT TO SMELL IT.
WE'RE TRYING TO WORK WITH YOU TO HELP GET IT DONE,
BUT IT ALL COMES DOWN TO YOU
DOING IT AND KEEPING IT THAT WAY.
I KNOW.
YOU KNOW, AND I KNOW YOU'VE MENTIONED
A BUNCH OF TIMES THAT IF YOU LIVED NEXT DOOR TO THIS...
I WOULDN'T WANT TO LOOK AT IT.
...YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO LOOK AT IT,
YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO SMELL IT,
YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH IT.
SO, WHAT YOU DO IN THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS,
OR FOUR OR FIVE DAYS, IS GONNA MATTER,
WHAT MY REPORT'S GONNA BE TO THE COURT.
Coldiron: IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN
WHETHER, IN A WEEK, THEY CAN GET THIS UP TO CODE.
I WOULD BE SURPRISED, HOWEVER I'M CERTAINLY HOPEFUL.
WE DON'T WANT FINES. WE DON'T WANT JAIL.
THIS...
Cheryl: EXPOSURE RIGHT THERE.
NOW, MAKE SURE YOU STILL HAVE ROOM TO FLIP THOSE.
I WILL.
RIGHT NOW, MY KITCHEN IS VERY, VERY, VERY MESSY.
I CAN'T USE THE KITCHEN. I CAN'T EVEN WASH MY DISHES.
NOW, WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU GET DONE WITH THE BURGER...
Narrator: JOHN AND HIS SON, JOE,
HAVE FILLED THEIR HOME TO THE POINT
WHERE COOKING A MEAL INSIDE IS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE.
AND WITH CHERYL AND JOSEPH'S NEWBORN SON
READY TO COME HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL,
IT'S ESSENTIAL THAT THEY CLEAR THE HOARD IMMEDIATELY.
RIGHT NOW, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH HIS ONLY HOME
THAT HE HAS TO GO TO, SO IT NEEDS TO BE SAFE FOR HIM.
AND IF IT CAN'T, THEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN.
I'M AFRAID THAT HE'S GONNA BE TAKEN FROM ME,
AND I DON'T WANT TO LOSE MY SON.
Narrator: CHERYL'S CONCERNS ARE VALID ONES
AND ARE SHARED BY HER STEPMOTHER, HEATHER,
WHO HAS HEARD
ABOUT THE UNLIVABLE CONDITIONS INSIDE THE HOME
BUT HAS NEVER EXPERIENCED THEM FOR HERSELF.
I'VE NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE,
BUT I UNDERSTAND THEY'VE HAD TO GO TO COURT
BECAUSE THE CONDITIONS OF THE HOUSE ARE SO BAD.
SO, I'M VERY CONCERNED FOR CHERYL AND MY GRANDBABY.
[ KNOCK ON DOOR ]
COME ON IN.
OH, MY GOSH. ARE YOU SERIOUS?
YOU DON'T LIKE MY HOUSE?
WELCOME TO OUR HOME.
JOSEPH.
OUR JUNGLE.
COME ON. YOU'VE GOT THIS BABY COMING HOME.
DO YOU GUYS REALLY THINK YOU CAN LIVE LIKE THIS?
YEAH, SURE.
JOHN, ARE YOU SERIOUS?
YOU DON'T -- WHERE ARE YOU GONNA PUT A CRIB AT?
HOW ARE YOU GONNA DO THIS? WHO LIVES LIKE THIS?
WHEN I WALKED IN AND SAW THEIR LIVING SITUATION,
I WAS HORRIFIED.
I COULDN'T IMAGINE THE WAY THEY LIVE.
THERE'S JUST EVERYTHING PILED UP EVERYWHERE,
ON THE TABLE, AGAINST THE WALLS.
JUST THE SMELL ALONE
MAKES YOU NOT WANT TO BE IN THAT HOUSE.
HOW DO YOU EVEN SIT IN THIS, REALLY?
WE DON'T. WE'RE NEVER HOME.
HEATHER, DO WE COME DOWN TO YOUR HOUSE
TO TELL YOU HOW YOU LIVE?
NO, HONEY, AND I LOVE YOU,
AND I'M NOT TRYING TO BE MEAN.
I'M JUST TALKING ABOUT --
Cheryl: SHE'S JUST WORRIED ABOUT ALL THIS.
I'M WORRIED ABOUT YOU GUYS BRINGING THE BABY.
I'M NOT SAYING NOTHING MEAN OR BAD AGAINST YOU.
John: THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT --
I'M JUST SAYING IT'S OBVIOUS. YOU COULD LOOK AROUND.
WHERE ARE YOU GONNA PUT THE BABY AT?
I AIN'T GONNA HAVE NOBODY COME IN THIS [BLEEP] HOUSE
AND TELL ME HOW TO [BLEEP] LIVE.
Joseph: WHEN CHERYL'S STEPMOM CAME OVER,
AND SHE CAME IN OUR HOUSE
AND TELLING US WHAT TO DO IN OUR HOUSE,
IT VERY -- IT UPSET ME A LOT, AND I BECAME ANGRY.
THAT'S BECAUSE I DON'T GO IN HER HOUSE,
I DON'T GO IN ANYBODY'S HOUSE
AND TELL THEM WHAT TO DO IN THEIR OWN HOUSEHOLD.
THIS IS A BIT -- A LOT TO DEAL WITH RIGHT NOW.
I GOT TO WORRY ABOUT EVERYBODY.
I GOT TO WORRY ABOUT MY KID.
I GOT TO WORRY ABOUT YOU GUYS.
I GOT TO WORRY ABOUT EVERY-- I DON'T HAVE TIME TO WORRY.
I DON'T --
SHE DON'T NEED THIS.
IT'S TOO MUCH.
IT'S TOO MUCH.
GIVE ME A HUG, BABY.
[ SOBBING ]
I'M VERY SCARED NOW
FOR THE SITUATION THAT IT IS.
I HAD NO IDEA UNTIL I ACTUALLY SAW THE HOUSE,
'CAUSE I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT IN MY LIFE.
GOD.
CHERYL.
WHAT IS THIS, BABY?
Cheryl: THEY ARE TRYING.
THEY ARE TRYING.
CHERYL, THIS IS CRAZY.
YOU CAN'T BRING A BABY HOME TO THIS.
I KNOW.
WHERE DO YOU SLEEP AT?
JOSEPH'S ROOM.
SHOW ME.
I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW IT EVER GOT THIS WAY,
EXCEPT THAT THEY JUST DON'T DO ANYTHING.
THE COUNTER IS PILED WITH STUFF, THE CHAIRS PILED WITH STUFF.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU JUST CAN'T PUT SOMETHING AWAY,
HOW IT GETS THAT BAD.
THIS IS HIS ROOM.
HIS ROOM'S NOT THAT BAD.
THERE'S STILL NO ROOM TO SLEEP.
DO YOU HAVE CATS?
I SMELL CAT LITTER.
AND THERE'S TWO BEHIND YOU.
THERE WERE CATS EVERYWHERE, IN THE BEDROOM,
IN THE BATHROOM.
FROM WHAT I BELIEVE, THEY HAVE 12 CATS.
WHO HAS 12 CATS?
THEY CAN BARELY TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN TAKE CARE OF ALL THESE ANIMALS.
WE JUST NEED TO GET THIS PLACE CLEANED UP.
THAT'S WHAT YOU GUYS NEED TO FOCUS ON.
I'M WILLING TO HELP.
NO, EVERYBODY'S GOT TO GET OUT OUR WAY...
OKAY.
...'CAUSE EVERYTHING GONNA GO START FLYING.
WHERE WOULD YOU RATHER BE, HERE WITH THE BABY OR IN JAIL?
YOU KNOW WHAT?
I'M TIRED OF BEING THREATENED BY JAIL.
I COULD START TO KIND OF TELL THAT JOSEPH WAS GETTING ANGRY.
I WAS JUST THINKING, LIKE, OH, MY GOD, PLEASE, YOU KNOW,
NOBODY START FIGHTING, SCREAMING AND YELLING,
BUT OF COURSE, THAT'S WHERE IT ENDED UP GOING.
I DON'T GIVE A [BLEEP] ABOUT JAIL.
YOU WANT TO GO TO JAIL AND NOT BE THERE FOR...
Heather: YOU GUYS ARE JUST TALKING CRAZY.
...YOUR SON?
ONLY THING I'M WORRIED ABOUT IS THE BABY,
BUT IF EVERYBODY KEEP INTERFERING AND GET IN MY WAY,
I'LL SHOW EVERYBODY WHAT I'M MADE OF.
STOP.
COPS COULDN'T HANDLE ME.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE CITY --
COME ON, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE A PARENT, JOSEPH.
I AM BEING A [BLEEP] PARENT.
THAT'S NOT BEING A PARENT.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT BEING A THUG,
THAT'S NOT BEING A PARENT.
JOSEPH GETS VERY DEFENSIVE
WHEN I TRY TO TELL THEM WHAT'S GOING ON,
BUT THEY HAVE TO HEAR IT FROM SOMEBODY.
DON'T SIT THERE AND LECTURE ME BEING A [BLEEP] PARENT...
STOP, PLEASE!
...BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT BEING LIKE --
BEING A [BLEEP] PARENT.
STOP!
YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE YOUR [BLEEP] KIDS RIGHT NOW.
STOP, STOP.
YES, I DO.
NO, YOU [BLEEP] DON'T.
YES, I DO.
YOU AIN'T EVEN GOT YOUR KIDS RIGHT NOW.
STOP!
YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW!
YES, I DO, SWEETHEART.
PLEASE STOP. PLEASE STOP.
I WILL CALL THE POLICE, AND I'LL HAVE EVERYBODY REMOVED.
IF THEY DON'T GET THIS HOUSE COMPLETELY CLEANED,
THEY'RE GONNA GO TO JAIL, THEY'RE GONNA LOSE THE HOUSE,
CHERYL'S GONNA HAVE NOWHERE TO GO WITH THIS BABY,
AND IT'S TERRIFYING.
DON'T FALL AND GET BURIED IN THERE, NOW.
FOUND A TRUCK.
YOU BETTER KEEP THAT FOR YOUR SON.
WHEN HE GETS OLDER, HE CAN LEARN HOW TO PLAY.
WE MOSTLY USE OUR BACKYARD
TO STORE STUFF AND JUNK STUFF,
AND ABOUT EVERYTHING, I MEAN, IT'S JUST --
THAT'S WHAT A BACKYARD WAS MADE FOR.
Narrator: EVEN WITH THE THREAT OF JAIL TIME
AND HIS NEWBORN GRANDSON PROHIBITED
FROM LIVING AT THE HOUSE IN ITS CURRENT STATE,
JOHN FEELS POWERLESS OVER THE GROWING HOARD.
HIDE THAT SOMEWHERE.
ONE REASON WHY, IN THE HOUSE, IT GOT SO HARD, IT JUST --
I GOT CONFUSED, AND IT GOT OUT OF CONTROL.
SEEMED LIKE MORE I WAS GETTING RID OF, IT WAS COMING BACK.
I DON'T KNOW.
IT FELT LIKE IT JUST ACCUMULATED NO MATTER WHAT I DID.
Narrator: BUT TODAY, JOHN AND HIS SON, JOE,
ARE HOPING TO REVERSE
THIS ENDLESS CYCLE OF COMPULSIVE HOARDING
BY ENLISTING THE AID
OF LICENSED FAMILY THERAPIST LIZA REED.
HI, THERE.
HI.
HELLO.
I HAD HEARD THAT JOHN AND JOE WERE REALLY HAVING DIFFICULTY
WORKING WITH ANYBODY IN ANY CAPACITY.
THEY WERE VERY RESISTANT WHEN IT CAME TO THE LEGAL ASPECT,
AND THEY WERE ALSO VERY CONFRONTATIONAL
WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS
OR ANYBODY WHO REALLY SPOKE UP ABOUT THEIR HOARDING.
EVENTUALLY, WE'RE GONNA SIT DOWN
AND ALL OF US KIND OF TALK ABOUT SOME OF THESE THINGS,
BUT FIRST, I WAS WONDERING IF WE COULD JUST GO AHEAD
AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE.
WOULD YOU GUYS BE WILLING TO DO THAT?
SURE.
OKAY.
Cheryl: I'LL WAIT HERE.
OKAY. THANKS.
LET ME CLOSE THIS.
OKAY. SO, WE'RE IN THE LIVING ROOM.
OKAY.
WELL, HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU GUYS SPEND IN THIS ROOM?
NOT VERY MUCH.
OKAY.
NOT VERY MUCH AT ALL.
Reed: JOHN AND JOE'S HOARDING BEHAVIOR IS EXTREMELY SERIOUS.
THERE ARE PATHWAYS IN THIS HOME.
THEY HAVE STACKS AND STACKS OF DIFFERENT COLLECTIONS,
VIDEOTAPES AND CELLPHONES, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
THERE'S NOT REALLY PLACES TO SLEEP OR TO SIT AND RELAX.
THE KITCHEN IS BASICALLY UNUSABLE.
IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE STILL, YOU KNOW,
PREPARING FOOD AND EATING IN HERE.
John: NOPE. THIS STUFF HAS BEEN HERE.
ALL THIS HAS BEEN SITTING HERE FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS
SINCE THE SINK BROKE.
LIKE THESE DISHES WITH FOOD AND THINGS LIKE THAT?
I BELIEVE THAT JOHN AND JOE ARE AWARE
OF THE SEVERITY OF THEIR SITUATION.
HOWEVER, THEY'RE VERY GOOD
AT DISPLACING THE BLAME ONTO PEOPLE
AND REALLY TRYING TO COMPARTMENTALIZE THEIR SITUATION
DUE TO HOW OVERWHELMING IT FEELS.
MOSTLY, WHAT THE HOUSE IS -- JUST SMALL.
THERE'S NO CLOSETS HARDLY.
I MEAN --
SORRY, I JUST -- SOMETHING CUTE AND FURRY CAUGHT MY EYE.
ARE THESE YOUR CATS?
YEP.
WELL, TWO CATS, THAT'S A BIG RESPONSIBILITY.
I HAVE ONE, AND THAT TAKES A TON OF WORK.
HONEY, 12 CATS.
Joseph: WE GOT A LOT MORE.
YOU HAVE MORE?
12.
I WAS TOLD BY BOTH JOHN AND JOE
THAT THESE WERE NOT THE ONLY CATS IN THE HOME,
THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL CATS IN THE BASEMENT AS WELL,
WHICH TELLS ME THAT THERE'S JUST VERY LITTLE REGARD
FOR CARE FOR THESE ANIMALS.
OH, I HEAR THE CATS.
YEP.
JUST FROM THE SMELL AND FROM THE SOUNDS
WHEN I FIRST WALKED INTO THE BASEMENT,
MY HEART DROPPED BECAUSE THE NOISES --
IT SEEMED LIKE SEVERAL CATS
WERE CRYING ALL AT THE SAME TIME.
[ CATS MEOWING ]
YEAH, BEFORE YOU -- BEFORE...
THEY DONE MADE A MESS. THEY DONE MADE MESSES.
WE GAVE THEM FOOD AND WATER, AND THEY TURNED IT OVER,
SO WE GOT TO CLEAN THEM AGAIN.
THIS IS A MESS, JOSEPH.
Joseph: YEAH.
JOHN, I -- I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY COULD BE HAPPY IN THIS HOME.
YOU SAID YOURSELF THIS HOUSE IS CURSED
AND YOU'RE MISERABLE.
YEAH, THE HOUSE IS CURSED.
IF YOU'RE MISERABLE, THESE KITTIES ARE MISERABLE, TOO.
YEAH.
THIS HOUSE IS --
ALL THIS STUFF HAS BEEN -- HOW YOU WANT TO SAY IT? --
MATERIAL THINGS.
MY CATS AND MY KIDS ARE HUMAN THINGS.
BUT I GOT TO TELL YOU
THAT THE SITUATION THEY'RE IN RIGHT NOW
DOESN'T SEEM VERY HUMANE TO ME.
IT'S HARD, BUT I LOVE MY CATS,
AND THAT'S THE ONLY THING, LIKE I SAID, KEEPS ME GOING.
I MEAN, THAT'S -- THAT'S MY LIFE THERE,
AND LIKE I SAID, MY KID.
THAT'S THE ONLY THING, I MEAN,
I LOOK FORWARD TO ANYMORE, YOU KNOW.
Reed: THE CATS SEEMED DESPERATE.
THEY WERE CRYING REPEATEDLY.
IT SEEMED LIKE THESE CATS WERE MISERABLE
AND NEEDED HELP,
SO I DECIDED TO CALL THE SPCA.
I NEEDED TO HAVE A PROFESSIONAL OPINION
ABOUT HOW THESE CATS COULD BE BETTER CARED FOR.
WE SUSPECT THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE
SOME RESISTANCE TO THAT,
SO, JUST TO LET YOU KNOW,
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE AN OFFICER HERE
IN CASE IT'S...
OKAY. ALL RIGHT.
WHERE ARE THEY AT?
THEY'RE INSIDE THE HOUSE HERE.
WHEN THE THERAPIST RETURNED WITH THE SPCA, I WAS MAD.
I DID NOT TELL THE THERAPIST THAT MY DAD WAS VERY UPSET.
HE FELT LIKE IT WAS BETRAYAL, LIKE I WAS.
THERE'S 12, BUT LIKE I SAY,
HALF OF THESE CATS ARE NOT MINE.
YEAH.
THEY'RE ALL GOOD CATS.
THEY JUST TOOK THE --
I MEAN, I'M GETTING READY TO CLEAN THEM.
AS LONG AS THEM CATS,
AS LONG AS THEY WAS IN A NICE, WARM HOUSE
AND HAD FOOD AND THEY WAS TAKEN CARE OF,
BE CLEAN AND PLAYED AND LOVED,
THAT'S ALL THAT'S -- THAT'S ALL ANY ANIMAL ASKS.
OH.
YEAH.
SO, WHEN THE CATS WERE TAKEN AWAY,
WHAT ENSUED AFTER THAT WAS ABSOLUTE CHAOS.
[BLEEP] [BLEEP]
Cheryl: LEAVE THE CATS HERE TODAY. I'D TAKE THEM HOME.
JOSEPH'S VERY ANGRY.
COME ON.
Joseph: [BLEEP] NOSY-*** NEIGHBORS!
JOSEPH SAID HE WANTED TO HURT SOMEBODY.
WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO ABOUT IT, HUH?
WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO ABOUT IT?
STOP! SOMEBODY HELP ME! HELP ME!
LET GO! WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO ABOUT IT?
I MEAN, JOSEPH CAN DO DAMAGE. I'VE DONE SEEN IT.
WHAT ARE YOU GONNA [BLEEP] DO ABOUT IT?
[ SOBBING ]
Narrator: TENSIONS ELEVATED BETWEEN THERAPIST AND PATIENT
WHEN FAMILY PSYCHOLOGIST LIZA REED
REPORTED THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF JOHN AND JOE'S CATS
TO THE SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.
[ CATS MEOWING ]
DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE SITUATION
MAY FEEL OVERWHELMING TO JOHN AND JOE,
WHEN AN ANIMAL'S LIFE IS AT STAKE,
IT ABSOLUTELY HAS TO BE ADDRESSED.
[ RADIO CHATTER ]
AND IT WAS WRONG. IT WAS NOT HER PLACE.
IF YOU LOOK AT IT, OKAY,
THEY WANT TO GRIPE 'CAUSE THEY WAS IN A CAGE, RIGHT?
WHERE THEY AT NOW? THEY'RE AT THE SPCA IN A CAGE.
BEST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN IS,
WHAT I GOT LEFT, TRY TO REBUILD IT.
THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY.
Narrator: FOR JOHN,
THE REPERCUSSIONS OF HIS HOARDING ARE UNDENIABLE.
HE HAS LOST HIS 12 CATS TO THE SPCA
AND FACES A POSSIBLE JAIL SENTENCE OF HIS OWN
IF HE DOESN'T CLEAR THE CLUTTER.
FURTHERMORE, HIS NEWBORN GRANDSON
IS ABOUT TO BE RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL
AND NEEDS A PLACE TO LIVE.
WITH NO OTHER OPTION,
BOTH JOHN AND JOE HAVE AGREED TO MOVE FORWARD
WITH A FULL-SCALE HAUL-AWAY ON ONE CONDITION --
FAMILY THERAPIST LIZA REED NOT BE PRESENT.
I WAS VERY, VERY MAD AND ANGRY AT THE THERAPIST.
I DIDN'T WANT THE THERAPIST TO COME
BECAUSE WHAT SHE DID TO ME THE NIGHT BEFORE THAT.
SHE BETRAYED ME.
I'M KAREN WITH K-SQUARED.
Narrator: TO GET THEM THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT DAY,
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER KAREN KRUZAN HAS STEPPED IN
TO LEAD THE CLEAN-OUT OF OVER 20 YEARS OF ACCUMULATION.
Kruzan: AND ONE OF THE THINGS, TODAY, TO BE AWARE OF IS
THAT NOTHING STAYS OR GOES WITHOUT JOHN, JOE, AND CHERYL
MAKING THAT DECISION.
MY ROLE HERE TODAY IS TO HELP JOHN AND JOE MAKE DECISIONS
ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT TO KEEP AND WHAT THEY WANT TO LET GO
AND TO BRING THEIR PROPERTY UP TO CODE
SO THAT THEY CAN ALL COME BACK AND LIVE IN IT WITH THE BABY.
A BUNCH OF YOU GET STARTED IN THE BACKYARD,
AND THEN JOHN AND I
WILL GO INSIDE AND GET THE LIVING ROOM TACKLED.
Man: ALL RIGHT.
OKAY.
I WANT A BETTER LIFE WHAT WE'RE HAVING NOW.
ALL RIGHT. SO, IS ALL OF THIS STUFF STAYING?
John: IT'S ALL STAYING, YEAH.
LIKE, ALL THE CELLPHONES, NOW, HAND THEM TO ME,
AND I'LL PUT THEM IN THE BOX, WHEREVER THE...
HOW MANY CELLPHONES DO YOU HAVE?
ABOUT 100.
HOW COME?
I JUST LIKE COLLECTING THEM.
OVER HERE.
YEAH, THAT COULD GO.
OKAY.
LIKE, EVERYTHING BEHIND THE DOOR, BAG IT.
WOW.
DAMN, I WAS NICE-LOOKING THEN.
DAMN, LOOK AT A JOSEPH. WHAT HAPPENED?
MAN, OH, MAN.
I AIN'T SEEN IT FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS.
LET'S PUT IT BACK UP.
LET'S KEEP IT ANOTHER FIVE YEARS.
THERE IS NO WAY TO HAVE A FAMILY LIVING IN HERE.
A BABY -- ABSOLUTELY NOT.
IT'S HAZARDOUS TO THEIR HEALTH
AND CAN CAUSE MANY HEALTH RISKS.
THROW THESE.
ALL THE METAL -- PUT IT ALL ONE PILE OVER HERE.
SO FAR, JOHN AND JOE HAVE BEEN GREAT TO WORK WITH
BECAUSE THEY ARE GETTING RID OF LOTS OF STUFF.
THEY'VE ALREADY TAKEN OUT A DUMPSTER OR TWO,
AND THEY JUST KEEP PUTTING THINGS IN.
I CAN SEE THE SIDE OF MY HOUSE AGAIN, JOSEPH.
Narrator: BUT AS THE DAY PROGRESSES,
JOHN BEGINS TO PANIC THAT TOO MUCH
FROM HIS BACKYARD COLLECTION IS BEING DISCARDED.
OKAY. HOLD ON, HOLD ON, HOLD ON.
Kruzan: WAIT.
HOLD ON, HOLD ON.
LIKE MOTORS, ELECTRIC MOTORS.
HEY. TELL JOSEPH COME HERE.
HE'S GOT TO GO THROUGH THIS.
I HAD A BOX OF KNICKKNACKS.
WHAT'D THEY DO WITH THEM?
I DON'T KNOW. THEY DONE TOOK THAT UP.
'CAUSE THERE WAS LIKE THREE OR FOUR BOXES OF KNICKKNACKS.
THINGS ARE STARTING TO SLOW DOWN,
AND HE'S NOT WANTING TO GET RID OF ANYTHING.
YOU'RE GONNA SAVE EVEN THAT ONE, 'CAUSE THOSE ARE THOSE --
WE CLEAN THEM OUT AND PUT SCREWS AND BOLTS IN THEM.
OKAY, BUT YOU DON'T THINK YOU HAVE ENOUGH OF THEM?
THEN WE FILL THEM UP. I FILL THESE UP ALL THE TIME.
MY WORRIES FOR THEM
ARE THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE KEEPING.
THERE'S A LOT OF VOLUME THEY'RE STILL KEEPING,
AND IF THEY DON'T EVER ADDRESS HOW MUCH THEY HAVE,
THEN IT'S GONNA BUILD UP AGAIN AND IT'S GONNA BE A PROBLEM.
WHAT'S GOING ON?
DO YOU -- YOU --
DID ME AND LOLA GET INTO IT LAST WEEK ABOUT THIS?
JOHN, YOU KNOW WHAT? REALLY, HONESTLY.
I'M NOT -- I'M NOT TELLING YOU WHAT TO DO
BECAUSE YOU KNOW I WON'T.
HE CAN DO WHAT HE WANTS TO DO WITH IT.
I DON'T CARE. I'VE TRIED TO HELP.
EVERYBODY'S TRIED TO HELP.
AND IF THEY BOTH WANT TO GO TO JAIL OVER IT,
THEN SO BE IT.
NOTHING ELSE MATTERS.
I DON'T MATTER. THE BABY DON'T MATTER.
JUST FEELS LIKE NOBODY ELSE MATTERS
BUT WHAT'S IN THIS HOUSE.
AIN'T MY WORRIES. IT AIN'T YOURS EITHER, SO...
I JUST -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT ANYMORE.
I REALLY DON'T.
LET THEM BOTH GO TO JAIL.
BEEN DEALING WITH IT FOR ALMOST A [BLEEP] YEAR.
I'M NOT DEALING WITH IT NO MORE.
OH, MY GOD. THIS THING'S HEAVY.
ALL THAT WEIGHT IN THERE.
Narrator: JUST ONE WEEK AGO,
COMPULSIVE HOARDERS JOHN AND HIS SON, JOE,
AGREED TO WORK WITH A HAULING TEAM
TO BRING THEIR HOME UP TO CODE
AND CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT FIT FOR JOE'S INFANT SON,
WHO WAS BORN TWO MONTHS PREMATURE.
GABRIEL'S DOING GOOD.
HE'S ALMOST 5 POUNDS, AND HE'S DOING REAL GOOD,
AND HE'S ON THE RIGHT PATH.
ME AND MY DAD TRIED OUR BEST
TO GET THIS HOUSE CLEANED OUT, LIKE, 100%,
SO BABY GABRIEL COULD COME BACK HOME.
Narrator: HOWEVER, MOST OF THE CLUTTER STILL REMAINS.
NO, THE HOUSE IS NOT PERFECT. IT'S GOT A LONG WAYS TO GO.
40 YEARS OF STUFF IN HERE, IT'S GONNA TAKE TIME.
IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN OVER A MONTH OR TWO.
BUT, I MEAN, I'VE HAD PLENTY OF TIME.
Narrator: TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE,
JOHN IS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN COURT
FOR CODE VIOLATIONS
IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS.
CAPTAIN STEVE COLDIRON WILL BE ON HAND
TO PRESENT A FINAL PROGRESS REPORT TO THE PRESIDING JUDGE.
I'M A LITTLE CONCERNED JUST FROM SEEING THE OUTSIDE HERE,
BECAUSE IF THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO THAT,
I CAN ONLY BE A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON INSIDE.
COME ON IN.
HI, JOSEPH.
HEY.
HOW YOU DOING, JOHN?
I MEAN, WE DO HAVE SPACE AROUND HERE.
YOU KNOW, I WAS HOPING YOU WOULD KNOCK DOWN SOME MORE,
BUT LET'S SEE WHAT THE REST OF THE HOUSE LOOKS LIKE.
IT'S JUST THE WEATHER GOT ME. IT WOULD'VE BEEN DONE.
I HAD THE U-HAUL. I HAD THE STORAGE, EVERYTHING RENTED.
YEAH, BUT WHAT DID WE DISCUSS ABOUT THE STUFF OUTSIDE
AS FAR AS WHAT IS IN THE QUALITY-OF-LIFE CODE?
I KNOW. I -- WE -- IT'S JUST THE SNOW.
WE WAS GONNA HAVE IT CLEANED UP.
I MEAN, IT TURNED BAD FOR --
IT HASN'T BEEN SNOWING FOR 2 1/2 YEARS.
JOHN AND JOSEPH WERE ALREADY MAKING EXCUSES
AS SOON AS I WALKED IN THE DOOR.
AND THERE HAVE BEEN EXCUSES
OVER THIS WHOLE 2-, 2 1/2-YEAR JOURNEY WITH THEM,
AND IT'S ALWAYS A DIFFERENT EXCUSE.
FIRST TIME I'VE HEARD THE SNOWSTORM EXCUSE
OUT OF ANYBODY.
IT ALL FELL DOWN ON US. IT'S A MESS.
YEAH, I KNOW, SEE, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'VE DISCUSSED, IS...
I KNOW.
...IMAGINE TRYING TO BE ONE OF MY FIREFIGHTERS.
YEAH, IN THE DARK, AND TRY TO GET --
IN THE DARK, IN THE HEAT, THE SMOKE,
AND EVERYTHING FALLING DOWN.
YOU PROVED IT TO ME. YOU PROVED IT TO ME.
I REALLY HAVE BEEN WORKING.
I MEAN, I'VE NOT STOPPED,
BUT, YOU KNOW, I WAS WANTING, I WAS PUSHING FOR IT,
BUT, YOU KNOW, THINGS COME UP, THINGS HAPPEN.
I HAD IT READY TO BOX THIS STUFF AND GO.
I MEAN, WE HAD IT ALL READY.
I MEAN, EVERYTHING WAS READY
TO GO OUT THE DOOR AND GO OUT.
BUT IT DIDN'T.
THIS WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO GET RESOURCES
THAT THEY ALWAYS COMPLAIN THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HAD
AND THEY'VE ALWAYS BEEN ASKING FOR,
AND THEN WHEN THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY,
THEY BASICALLY JUST LET IT SLIP AWAY.
Coldiron: I GOT MY PICTURES. I'LL GO PRINT THEM UP.
WE HAVE COURT TOMORROW.
YOU KNOW THAT I DON'T SEE
THE PROGRESS THAT I HAD EXPECTED.
I DO SEE PROGRESS,
BUT IT'S NOT TO THE POINT, ESPECIALLY THE BASEMENT.
I HAD IT CLEANED OUT. YOU ASK KAREN.
AND WHEN CHERYL COME BACK AND BRUNG ALL HER STUFF --
IT'S ABOUT WHAT I HAVE NOW.
I CAN ONLY DEAL WITH THE CONDITIONS
THAT EXIST WHEN I'M HERE.
HE JUST SAID IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH,
IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH, LIKE HE ALWAYS DOES.
WELL, YEAH, NOTHING'S GONNA BE GOOD ENOUGH RIGHT NOW
UNTIL THE HOUSE IS CLEAN, AND I KNOW THAT.
I'M 47 YEARS OLD, AND I'M NOT DUMB.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S -- YOU KNOW WHAT?
THE HELL WITH HIM.
DO YOU THINK HE WILL GET LOCKED UP TOMORROW, IN YOUR MIND?
IT'S UP TO THE JUDGE.
I MEAN, I CAN'T -- LIKE I SAID, I'M GONNA BE HONEST.
I'VE SEEN PROGRESS,
I JUST HAVE NOT SEEN THE PROGRESS
TO GET TO THE MINIMUM STANDARDS.
THE BACKYARD GOT CLEAN, DIDN'T IT?
THE BACKYARD GOT CLEAN.
THAT WAS THE MAIN CONCERN FOR EVERYBODY.
WE AGREED WE'D WORK ON THE BACKYARD. WE GOT IT CLEAN.
I MEAN, YOU CAN'T SAY I DIDN'T DO NOTHING,
'CAUSE THE BACKYARD WOULDN'T HAPPEN.
I DIDN'T SAY YOU DIDN'T DO ANYTHING.
I SAID YOU'VE MADE PROGRESS.
I JUST SAID THAT YOU HAVEN'T MADE
THE PROGRESS THAT I HAD HOPED FOR.
BUT YOU'RE NOT AT MINIMUM COMPLIANCE NOW.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT COURSE THE JUDGE WILL TAKE
TO TRY TO MOTIVATE THEM TO GET TO FURTHER COMPLIANCE.
ALL I'M ASKING IS JUST THREE MORE WEEKS.
LET ME GET THIS DAMN [BLEEP] OUT OF HERE.
OKAY. I MEAN, I'LL SEE YOU IN COURT. OKAY?
THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING.
ALL RIGHT.
WELL, IF IT AIN'T CLEANED UP,
THEN I DON'T CARE IF THE JUDGE PUT ME IN JAIL,
'CAUSE I'LL FEEL LIKE I LET MYSELF DOWN, TOO.
I SHOULD BE PUNISHED.