Boy's shoplifting has Colo. family facing eviction

By: Barry Leibowitz
Topics: Daily Blotter

Tanya Abbey (right) of Grand Junction, Colo., with two of her three children, including 13-year-old Oran, left.

/ CBS Denver

(CBS) GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - A 13-year-old Colorado boy admits he shoplifted a pair of shoes.

Because of that, his mother, brother and sister are all on the verge of being evicted from their apartment, CBS Denver reports.

Grand Junction single mother Tanya Abbey says she and her three children won't be home for Christmas after her 13-year-old son Oran got caught shoplifting a pair of shoes - an act that violated the family's lease.

According to CBS Denver, in a statement, the manager of Garden Village Apartments said any criminal activity on or near the premises is grounds for immediate eviction.

"My shoes were getting worn out ... it was getting cold, my feet were getting cold," Oran said, by way of explaining the theft.

"I let my mom down, like I let everybody down," he said.

Oran said he didn't mean to put his whole family at risk.

"I thought it would just affect me. I had no idea it would affect my mom or my brother and sister, and I feel like if they should be kicking anybody out it should be me," he said.

In a few weeks the family will have to pack up and leave home, according to that lease. Most likely, they'll be spending Christmas day in a shelter.

"It just makes me feel horrible. It makes me feel like I can't even give my kids a Christmas now," Abbey said. "I have to pack up my stuff and store it, instead of putting up a tree."

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by judymar14 December 13, 2012 12:42 PM EST: Shoplifting is a mis-demeanor. The lease must refer to a felony. Maybe she was behind in rent and this incident with her son being the cause of eviction makes for a sadder story than the truth.; Reply to this comment


by Mrtruth December 12, 2012 4:03 PM EST: update your facts...she payed her rent....and is no longer being kicked out, all about rent not shoes.; Reply to this comment


by rightontarget December 12, 2012 12:23 PM EST: I have never heard of somebodoy being evicted because of a shoplifting charge. There has got to be more to this story. Non payment of the rent maybe??????; Reply to this comment


by daddycrc-2009 December 12, 2012 11:12 AM EST: I feel for a first offence thats going WAY to far, MAYBE just maybe the young man has learned his lesson that you cant steal. I hope that The owners or maybe a judge give this family a 2nd chance. In most states he would get probation for 1st offence. If he does it again then throw the book at him.; Reply to this comment


by andie52 December 12, 2012 11:03 AM EST: Eviction not due to theft of shoes

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/eviction-not-due-to-theft-of-shoes/; Reply to this comment