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Mortgage forgiven for woman, 90, who shot herself

Sun Oct 5, 2008 4:58 AM EDT
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Associated Press
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AKRON — Mortgage finance company Fannie Mae said it is forgiving the mortgage debt of a 90-year-old woman who shot herself in the chest as sheriff's deputies attempted to evict her.

Addie Polk's plight was cited by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, on Friday before the House voted to approve the $700 billion financial rescue package. Kucinich voted against the plan.

Fannie Mae announced later Friday that it would dismiss its foreclosure action, forgive Polk's mortgage and allow her to return to the Akron home where she's lived since 1970.

"Just given the circumstances, we think it's appropriate," Fannie Mae spokesman Brian Faith said, citing Kucinich's statement and news reports. "It certainly made our radar screen."

Polk remained in Akron General Medical Center and was expected to recover from chest wounds suffered last week.

She became the home's sole owner in 1995 when her husband died, then took out a mortgage loan in 1997 and refinanced several times, court and property records show.

Countrywide Home Loans filed for foreclosure last year, and Polk's home was sold to Fannie Mae at a sheriff's auction in June. Deputies were to escort Polk from her home Wednesday when gunshots were heard inside.

Polk's longtime neighbor, Robert Dillon, climbed through her window and found her lying in bed bleeding with a gun next to her. He visited Polk in the hospital on Friday.

"She said it was a crazy thing to do, now that she's had time to think about it," Dillon said.

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Information from: Akron Beacon Journal, http://www.ohio.com

© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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jsbach

I hope all those involved with mortgage lending, Countrywide, sheriff's departments, everyone involved in the bail-out and the eviction of residents understand that more of this may happen.  Although Fannie Mae is forgiving this woman's loan and I am happy for her, I don't think the rest of the country will be as fortunate.  

I hope she recovers soon.  She could have died but isn't it a shame that it took a near death experience for Fannie Mae and others to see the plight of everyday Americans.

Susan

  • 2 votes
Reply#1 - Sun Oct 5, 2008 9:01 AM EDT
sushicat

I  agree with you, jsbach. She has her home back and I am thank-ful for that but its too late for the other families.

I can't believe our congress would not ever consider allowing judges to reset the mortage fee so people could keep their homes.

  • 1 vote
Reply#2 - Sun Oct 5, 2008 12:23 PM EDT
take2la

Nice Try

    Reply#3 - Sun Oct 5, 2008 4:36 PM EDT
    jck80

    I really don't think this is the appropriate example to have set by Fannie Mae, but what is to be expected.

    • 1 vote
    Reply#4 - Sun Oct 5, 2008 10:52 PM EDT
    northg

    So sad it takes an extreme event for a financial lender or even our government to actually listen. This probably wouldn't have happened if someone listen, instead of trying to make a profit or coldly look the other way as our government. The government could care less for the middle class,eg. it took sweetners to pass the bailout bill, Congress were not interested, for the good of America. BEST WISHES to Addie Polk, hope for a fast recovery.

      Reply#5 - Mon Oct 6, 2008 2:34 AM EDT
      lane63

      It is truly sad that this has happened.  It is one of three incidences I've read about when people are forced to come to terms with the thought of losing their homes.  It's just to devastating to deal with.

        Reply#6 - Sat Oct 11, 2008 4:43 PM EDT
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