WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Local family still in third world conditions

Local family still in third world conditions

By Monica Hernandez - bio | email

LENA, MS (WLBT) - Relatives prayed Wednesday with the Shepard family outside their home at 253 Ragsdale Road in Lena, MS.

James Shepard, his nephew James, and his sisters Mary and Hattie live in the home without indoor plumbing or running water. A meter box dangles from the side, and the roof is beginning to peel off.

"It rains in the house everywhere," said Mary Shepard.

But since Three On Your Side exposed the conditions in June, the Department of Human Services stepped in. July 21st, they held a meeting to discuss how to help the Shepard family.

DHS won't go into detail about the meeting, but, according to the Shepards, the house may be demolished and a trailer could take its place. The family would be set up in a motel during the transition period.

"It makes me real happy. Real happy. Excited," said Shepard.

But then there's the issue of finances.

The four adult relatives who live in the home each receive mental health help and a monthly sum of money from the state.

But the Shepards and their family members say an aunt keeps the money and doesn't give them their fair share, creating tension in the family.

"You know good and doggone well [my aunt] don't give me all my money," Shepard told the relatives who gathered outside the home.

Their aunt, Dora Lee Jackson, denies the claims, saying she's only tried to help the family.

Meanwhile, Ernestine Reed, who says she's a distant cousin who came into contact with the family after WLBT's initial report, is looking into overseeing their finances instead.

"See it takes more than being over someone's money and not putting it where it's supposed to be," said Reed. "But right now I see these people need help."

But in another twist, we asked Shepard what she does with the money receives.

"I spend it sometimes. And they get it and use it up on drugs."

She denies that she does drugs herself, but says she gives the state's money to drug users, leaving her with nothing