Texas Woman Attacked by Squatters, Lost Teeth in the Process

A woman in Fort Worth was attacked after encountering squatters inside her home attempting to steal her things. After she confronted them, they lashed out, dropping a refrigerator on her head in the process.

Texas Squatter Attack

The woman, Noel Patrick, moved in to her home over a year ago and immediately knew something was wrong. the house was in horrible condition with holes in the walls and floors. It was clear to Patrick that there was some bad history with the place.

It turns out that her landlord informed her that he had spent two years battling issues with squatters on the property. Noel Patrick, who has three young children, decided after year that it was time to finally leave.

The moving out process went according to plan, until Sunday hit. There were just a few more things that Patrick needed from the home before she was officially moved out. As she stepped into the kitchen, she was met with a man and woman attempting to steal the refrigerator.

Patrick informed the duo that they need to leave the property before one of them shoved the fridge on top of her, breaking three of her teeth. The two then fled the house out the front door.

Patrick stated that she was able to fix one of her damaged teeth, but the other two would need to be replaced, costing the mother upwards of $7,000 just to start with the operation.

Squatter's Rights in Texas

This is just one example of an ongoing battle that many Texas lawmakers fight when it comes to the dangers of squatter's rights and the effect they have on renters.

House Bill 32, filed by Rep. Angie Chen Button, gives tenants more power to make evictions from properties, potentially without a formal hearing. Noel Patrick voiced her support for the legislation after her violent experience with squatters:

We need more rights for us and less rights for them.

Some opponents of the bill say this could impact low-income renters if it would pass in Texas. So, what do you think? Should more be done to address the issue of problem-making squatters in Texas?