There are still more questions than answers for a homeowner who said the city accidentally sold her home in a tax sale.
"I had no idea what was going on," said Ancilla Crawford. "it was very traumatizing."
From last week to now, Crawford’s fears have turned to frustration, as the city continues to ignore her concerns.
"I am really tired of going back and forth and dealing with this stuff," she said.
According to Crawford, she took two full days off work to speak with officials inside the city's municipal building, who explained the lien on her home was triggered by an overdue lawn mowing bill.
Meanwhile, Crawford doesn’t even have a lawn.
Further investigation revealed while pictures of the grass the city was called out to cut do show Crawford’s address on the sign, the backyard is of the vacant house across the street. In October, The city’s housing department also deemed Crawford’s home an abandoned property, but one look inside of her fully finished home proves there must have been another mistake.
"I told them, you know, this wasn't my property. This was an error," she said.
Crawford claims the city wouldn’t listen. To save her home, it cost her nearly $2,900 in fees. Money, she now believes the city should repay her.
She’s not alone, former federal and state prosecutor Thiru Vignarajah agrees.
"The city should be embarrassed by the situation," said Vignarajah. "They should also have a little bit of humanity in them to at least return a call."
"City officials absolutely botched this, not only did they botch it, but they really put someone in a really tough financial position," said Taxpayer advocate, David WIlliams.
Williams argues especially when someone’s home is at risk, the city’s response should be immediate.
"There is no excuse for it to take as long as it has. This is a person's house we're talking about, this is thousands of dollars in fines that she doesn’t owe," he said.
Last week, FOX45 News reached out to the Mayor’s Office and the Housing Department about the issue. A Housing Department spokesperson wrote back, saying the situation was being investigated. However, a week has now past and two follow up emails have gone ignored.
Leaving Crawford in the dark about how this happened and if she'll ever be made whole.
"t’s such a simple solution, just refund her the money to set right your wrong," said Vignarajah.