Salem mom struggles to rebuild life
By Doug Ireland, The Eagle-Tribune, North Andover, Mass. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The divorced mother of four young children took classes at
But then
Then, a fire
Smith, 29, left the duplex for about four hours and returned to find the home filled with smoke. She called 911.
She had accidentally left the stove on, with a teapot on the burner. The fire caused substantial damage, spreading to the ceiling before it somehow went out on its own.
She was able to salvage some personal belongings, but almost everything in the home reeked of smoke and couldn't be salvaged. The family could no longer live there.
"There is smoke and soot damage throughout," he said. "I don't know how the place didn't burn down. ... It was highly unusual that the fire didn't continue burning."
Since then, Smith has been trying to find a place to live -- without much luck. She's been staying at friends' homes when she can along with her youngest child, who is 3.
Her three oldest children -- ages, 9, 7 and 6 -- are living with her ex-husband and going to school in
When not staying with friends, Smith and 3-year-old Thea have been sleeping in her mother's sport utility vehicle in
But she's afraid her mother would be forced to leave her senior living community if the landlord discovered five guests living in her home, including four children.
"The landlord has already given her an ultimatum," Smith said.
Smith said her life is further complicated by the fact her ex-boyfriend, who has been convicted on drug charges, is scheduled to be released Wednesday from
She said she's scared for herself and her children, and struggling to find shelter in a confidential location.
Smith recalled heated exchanges with her former boyfriend that ended with him pummeling her with his fists. He would never hit the children, but would strike her as she was holding their child.
"He can get violent," Smith said. "I don't want to go through that again and don't want my children to go through it."
The couple were together off and on for about three years. The boyfriend was arrested on domestic assault charges at least three times, but Smith said she would later feel bad for reporting the violence to police.
"I dropped the charge every time, like an idiot," she said.
Last year, Smith decided it was time to change her life.
Smith received assistance coping from therapist and social worker
Smith also started attending support group meetings through
McCarter said it's a serious issue that often doesn't receive recognition until a tragedy occurs. She spoke of the recent case involving
"It's an epidemic," McCarter said. "Unless something big happens, only a little light is shed (on the issue)."
McBey is helping Smith find housing through various social service agencies, including Community Action. The family has received some financial assistance from
"It's a very, very difficult situation," McBey said.
Smith said she was told finding shelter could mean moving as far away as Laconia or
"I would not move across the state without my children," she said.
McBey said Smith's situation -- an abused woman struggling to make ends meet -- is all too common. She said at least one-fourth of her clients are victims of domestic violence and need help.
"From my experience, it's extremely common," McBey said. "I see a client at least every day because of domestic violence."
Smith is confident she can get her life on track again. It's just going to take some time, patience and a helping hand, she said.
"It's been a long road," she said.
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