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SUNDAY'S CHILD
Sunday's Child "Christopher" 2/7/10
Just in time for the Winter Olympics, CBS 7’s Tatum Hubbard hit the ice with a very athletic 15-year-old for a little "speed skating."
Just in time for the Winter Olympics, CBS 7’s Tatum Hubbard hit the ice with a very athletic 15-year-old for a little "speed skating."
Homeless Shelter has Residents Worried in Goldsmith 10/15/09
CBS 7 News
bberman@cbs7.com
October 15, 2009
Goldsmith, Texas -
A homeless shelter in Goldsmith is becoming a concern for some city residents who say it’s unfit for living and a danger to the community.
When you walk into the Pearl House you see a former elementary school in disarray. Shoes and clothing are scattered everywhere, graffiti is on the walls and there is no staff or authority to be found. It's one of many concerns, Vickie Hodges has about the shelter.
"To our community it's havoc, it's not fair and it's very disappointing that someone like Emmitt Beasley could come out here and put this facility in and just let it go, let the people waste away", says Hodges.
Hodges recounts a man who walked miles away from the house and was found on the road. She brings up the mentally disabled man who stands outside, swearing and yelling, among others.
"We have to lock our doors now because there's one lady with mental disabilities that goes in houses. She just walks in. She scared a pregnant lady yesterday", says Hodges.
Pearl House residents tell a different story. They say living conditions are fine and they're happy to have room over their heads. Founder, Emmitt Beasley, was not present when we visited the shelter, but spoke later via phone.
"The Sheriff's department, the mental health people, the APS, and all kinds of other organizations are interviewing me and looking at the facility but there's nothing wrong with the facility or me or what we're doing", he said.
Beasley admits recovering addicts live among children and the mentally disabled. We noticed most doors in the building unlocked or wide open, with no staff in the office. He says Vickie Hodges is upset that resident Deborah Woods caused trouble at her general store.
"Vickie said that if we didn't keep Deborah from going to the store, she was going to shut us down", said Beasley.
Hodges expresses worry about the safety of those in the Pearl House and the community.
"It's not a very good situation at all and my concern is these people are not getting help. They're not taking medications, they're not being fed", she remarks.
Beasley claims he is meeting with the Adult Protective Services agency and says Deborah Woods will be transferred somewhere else, and The Pearl House isn't going anywhere.
"We still persevere, we're going to keep housing people, keeping helping people and keeping feeding people, clothing and housing people. That's what Jesus says to do".
An APS representative was unable to confirm whether Mr. Beasley actually met with the agency.
Beasley says The Pearl House is a legitimate shelter and has suffered from a lack of donations caused by the recession.
