Woman Sues DIP Storage Facility Over Bizarre Ordeal (Locked In Box For 63 Days)

Mobile Register ^ | 9-26-2003 | Gary McElroy

[CobaltBlue]

She probably was living there and didn't call out because she was hoping someone would let her out eventually, then it kinda got out of hand. I doubt she starved herself intentionally, unless she's non compos mentis to begin with. Severe depression, senility.

[MotleyGirl70]

A month later, on Nov. 7, 2001, Mantiply told jurors, Hudson paid another month's rent. And on that very night, while on a routine security check, the facility's manager found Hudson's storage unit unlocked and partially open. He closed and locked it.

I'm not familiar with these storage units but the ones I see around here have a garage door type opening. I would think this woman would have heard the door closing and being locked.

[jocon307]

"Any idea how much space a year's supply of food for a family of 8 takes up?"

Why did your friend have a year's supply of food? Is that some Mormom custom, keeping a whole year's worth of food at all times?

In my house we usually don't have even a week's supply of food.

[AppyPappy]

You'd think she would have cut the nails. Obviously, she's crazy

[dennisw]

Hey .... she got to live there rent free for two months and now gets to sue their pants off.

[wideawake]

Something tells me she didn't do this to herself.

I don't think she ever intended it to go as far as it did.

[Old Professer]

The rent was overdue by a month; the unit hadn't been visited in that time and a watchman was on duty.

My guess is the woman will receive a large settlement, the watchman will be fired,the company will install panic-buttons inside with alarms and the lawyers will meet for dinner the night after the settlement.

[r9etb]

Why did your friend have a year's supply of food? Is that some Mormom custom, keeping a whole year's worth of food at all times?

As I understand it, it's more along the lines of a religious requirement.

Not being LDS myself, I can't give you any real info other than that after a couple of hours carrying plastic buckets of grain and water in the Houston summer heat, it's really, really heavy.

[ctlpdad]

Scientologists advocate that much or more, if i remember correctly. They have been really pushing it lately, too.

[LibWhacker]

Is this the same lady who put the dead rat in her yogurt so she could sue Dannon? I predict this latest escapade will be another big flop in her legal career. The whole thing is on its face a total set-up deal. LOL, what a joke!

[Ronaldus Magnus]

I infer from your reading of the law that you assert she was intentionally imprisoned in Unit 611. Security Guard: "oh, there's that big ol' fat lady with all her crap in there, ha ha ha, I'm gonna lock her up"

No, I made no such assertion. The defense's attorney stipulated to the fact that she was imprisoned. Intention would generally only be factor in a criminal case, not a civil case like this one.

I assert your implication re: "imprisoning with intent" is unfounded and contradictory to your scolding in being "completely unqualified to make such a rash statement"

No, the implication you assert is in error. See above.

my hunch is that she heard the security guard close the door and did nothing for she knew all along that 611 was going to be her home. That's why she nver made any noise. But clearly the plan backfired on Day 1 when the Sec. Guard did the ol' lockeroo (again, his intent is unknown). Eventually she couldn't take it any more and started pounding on the door. How she could "live" with that stech is beyond me

That may in fact be how it happened. I imagine that more information will be made available if this goes to trial.

[Robert A Cook PE]

The security guard's "intent" WAS to protect what he thought was a locker accidently left open when it's owner had left.

The security guard was acting in HER interest.

I can't explain why she said nothing (1) when first locked in (maybe because she KNEW she wasn't supposed to be living in the rental box); (2)later when other cards drove by or doors were opened nearby, or (3) much later when her food/drinks began to run out ...

At some point she clearly began dying, and once unconscious/near death from dehydration/frostbite/starvation/unhygenic conditions she couldn't have called for help.

But her dying wasn't the rental company's fault.

[wideawake]

Beyond that, I'm guessing that she actually lived in the unit -- a nice, low-rent situation, and it explains why the guard found the door open.

That's what I'm a-thinkin'.

[Wacka]

You can't live more than a week without water. This is fishy.

[Ronaldus Magnus]

I read that as YOUR assertion of intentional neglect

My statement was correct in the context I made it, and no where was intention mentioned or inferred.

maybe what would have helped ME out was if you had written instead : The defense team claims that "no private entity has the right to imprison anyone, regardless of any contract violation."

I don't think that would have helped you out since I have no idea whether the defense team claims that. It is my statement and does not say anything about intent.

I apologize for putting words in your sentence; I read as I speak and there was room in your original post for my mistake

Apology accepted.

Either way I intend (LOL) to follow this case

Me too.

and as to your point RE: intent in civil cases ain't as important as in civil cases you are correct. However, mitigating factors (such as intent, or lack thereof) may turn a jury's decision one way or the other (or find the def. "responsible" but award damages for only a buck)

I wish that were still the case. Ah, the good old days!

I do truly hope the Stg Unit's Ins. company does not fold on this one

I would agree if I thought that the facts (which I don't know yet) and the probability of success (which I doubt) were on their side. If this women was locked in their rental shed for any reason, settling would be probably be the fiscally smart thing to do.

but as you say, we'll have to wait and see

Please ping me if you hear anything new about this.

[visualops]

If I didn't eat for two months, I don't think I could get down to 85lbs. That's the size of a ten year old boy. And this women, as stated, was "plump".

I have no idea what the real story is, but:
85 lbs is also the weight of an emaciated adult woman. Plus, she is apparently short.
The article states she is plump now.