Retirement community wants girl, 6, gone

PINELLAS PARK, Fla., Oct. 22 (UPI) -- A Florida couple said the homeowners association of their retirement community is trying to evict their 6-year-old granddaughter.

Jimmy and Judie Stottler of Pinellas Park said their granddaughter, Kimberly, came to live with them as an infant when authorities took her away from her drug-abusing mother, WSTP-TV, St. Petersburg, Fla., reported Thursday. The girl has stayed with her grandparents in the retirement community since, even though the community's rules don't allow children.

The couple said the homeowners association is now pressuring them to comply with the ban on children, but they are unable to move because they can't find a buyer for their house, said Robert Eckard, an attorney representing the family free of charge.

"If they sell the home, they can move; if not, they're homeless on the street," he said.

The Stottlers said they fear Kimberly may be put in foster care if they can't sell their house. Eckard said the final decision on whether the child can stay will be up to a judge.