Man's Tools Taken After Fraudulent CraigsList Ad Posted
Posted: 6:41 pm EST December 9, 2008Updated: 7:06 pm EST December 9, 2008
WALTON COUNTY, Ga. -- A family struggling to pay the medical bills of a paralyzed teenager said they are now the victims of a scam on CraigsList.com. A fraudulent post on the website invited people to loot the parents' home while they were at the hospital with their son.Chris Limbaugh, 17, was left paralyzed after falling from a bridge in September. He has a titanium plate imbedded in his back. While his parents were visiting him in the hospital in November, they said someone posted a fraudulent ad on CraigsList.com that offered free mechanics tools to any takers. The ad said the family's Walton County home had been foreclosed on and anything in the shed except the dog had to go.
VIDEO: Man's Tools Taken After Fraudulent CraigsList Ad Posted
A panicked relative called Chris' mom. "There's people outside in your yard just fighting over your stuff," Tamira Harvey said her relative told her. "Just truckloads with trucks and trailers just backed up down the driveway and down the road."The crowds cleaned out Chris' father's tool shed -- taking tens of thousands of equipment."All my husband's work tools that he does work with. And now because he has no tools he has no job," said Harvey.Harvey said she doesn't know who posted the fake ad that has destroyed the family's livelihood and has left them wondering how they will care for their son."Our bills are collecting, repossession everyday, you know, my husband doesn't have a job now, I don't have a job. Since this, we've lost everything," said Harvey.The Shepherd Center said Chris will need modifications to his home, like wheelchair ramps, which the family cannot afford. Doctors at the Shepherd Center said any assistance to the family would be greatly appreciated.The family of the teen said they will not file criminal charges against anyone who returns the tools.The Shepherd Center set up an account to help the family modify their home for disabled access. You can make donations to the Tamira Harvey Family Fund in care of Chris Limbaugh at any BB&T bank branch.
VIDEO: Man's Tools Taken After Fraudulent CraigsList Ad PostedA panicked relative called Chris' mom. "There's people outside in your yard just fighting over your stuff," Tamira Harvey said her relative told her. "Just truckloads with trucks and trailers just backed up down the driveway and down the road."The crowds cleaned out Chris' father's tool shed -- taking tens of thousands of equipment."All my husband's work tools that he does work with. And now because he has no tools he has no job," said Harvey.Harvey said she doesn't know who posted the fake ad that has destroyed the family's livelihood and has left them wondering how they will care for their son."Our bills are collecting, repossession everyday, you know, my husband doesn't have a job now, I don't have a job. Since this, we've lost everything," said Harvey.The Shepherd Center said Chris will need modifications to his home, like wheelchair ramps, which the family cannot afford. Doctors at the Shepherd Center said any assistance to the family would be greatly appreciated.The family of the teen said they will not file criminal charges against anyone who returns the tools.The Shepherd Center set up an account to help the family modify their home for disabled access. You can make donations to the Tamira Harvey Family Fund in care of Chris Limbaugh at any BB&T bank branch.
Copyright 2008 by WSBTV.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Awkward Family Photos
Meet Atlanta's Most Eligble Bachelors, Bachelorettes
All Aboard! See The Pink Pig
The 4 Keys To Women’s Health
Home Fix It Jobs Gone Terribly Wrong
Awww...Isn't That Cute!
Questions For Relatives I Don't See Often
Check Out The Top 10 Home Updates
Eat Often To Lose Weight?
