The story is really tragic, but something caught my eye:
Several weeks ago, Morales said a plumber came to the apartment and told her it had gotten so cold the pipes had frozen. She said the plumber took temperature readings and said it was 48 degrees in her bedroom in the middle of the day and 55 degrees in the babies’ room.
“I pay everything here on time,” said the distraught mom. “If everything was done like it was supposed to[sic], my daughter would be here right now. There is no reason it should be that cold in here.”
After the ambulance took her daughter to the hospital, Housing Authority officials showed up at the home, gave a roll of plastic sheeting to Morales’ sister and said, “Here, this is for your window,” Morales said.
A spokeswoman said the Housing Authority was looking into allegations that the building was without heat and confirmed that Morales was offered plastic to cover the windows.
Several weeks ago? I’m sorry, but what was she waiting for to leave?
I don’t blame her for the conditions in her apartment. In fact, I think the owner of the building needs to be investigated immediately for his inaction. It’s been really cold in New York City, lately, and I can’t imagine a building not having heat at this time of the year, especially to the point where this woman’s pipes froze!
But all that notwithstanding, why was she still in there? She had to realize this wasn’t a healthy situation. Find someplace else to go! Something should’ve clicked in her head that the situation was not good for either her or her children. Sometimes, despite the obligations of others, you have to take responsibility for your family into your own hands, and if the building wasn’t providing adequate heat, leave it.
I know it’s not that simple, but is there anyone out there reading this right now who thinks that it’s more difficult than burying a child?
[tags]bronx, apartment, cold, nyc[/tags]