Mother, Son Living In Shack Near Jail Plead For Help

(CBS) -- It's often the search for one story that leads to another, and that's the case for CBS 2's Brad Edwards. While investigating one issue, he happened upon an Original Report of desperate need this holiday.

Shirley and her son Timothy Bennett have been squatting in a shack on the parking lot near the Cook County Jail for five months.

"I gotta survive for my mom," Timothy said.

Shirley says she has a hard time getting out of the tight shack. Inside, they use a bucket for the bathroom.

Timothy says that, "It's a living hell."

They're told they have to get out this week. And she hurts. Shirley says a doctor told her that she had cancer many months ago. She didn't go back.

"So what I want to know is if anybody can help me get out of this hole... that's what I want," Shirley said.

See the follow-up on this extraordinary story here:

Homeless Woman and Daughter Reunited After 25 Years

Family Reunites Following Story Of Mother, Son Living In Shack Near Jail