VASSAR, Mich. — A Michigan woman’s act of charity has left her homeless and sleeping in her vehicle after a family she allowed to park a school bus on her property allegedly refused to leave and secured a legal restraining order against her.
Kandie Sherman, a resident of Vassar, Michigan, is currently embroiled in a high-stakes legal battle to reclaim her property. In October, Sherman granted permission to the family of one of her daughter’s friends to park their school bus on her land for a period intended to last six weeks. Months later, the bus remains, and Sherman has been legally barred from her own residence.
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A Gesture of Goodwill Turns Into a Legal Stalemate
The conflict escalated when Sherman attempted to evict the occupants after the agreed-upon timeframe expired. In a surprising legal maneuver, the family living in the bus filed for and obtained a Personal Protection Order (PPO) against Sherman, alleging stalking.
Because the bus is parked in close proximity to the house, the terms of the PPO effectively prevent Sherman from entering her own home without risking arrest for violating the order.
“I’m feeling frustrated, helpless, and angry,” Sherman told local CBS affiliate WNEM. “I was generous enough to allow a family to park their bus on my property because they said they were self-sustainable… they refuse to leave.”
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The Complexity of Residency Rights
The situation highlights a growing national conversation regarding “squatter’s rights” and the legal complexities of residential evictions. Despite the unconventional nature of the dwelling—a commercial school bus—local authorities indicate that the occupants may have established legal residency.
Ben Guile, Vassar’s Police Chief and Interim City Manager, noted that several factors complicate immediate removal:
- Mail Delivery: The occupants have reportedly been receiving mail at the address.
- Duration of Stay: The length of time the family has remained on the property contributes to residency claims under Michigan law.
- Mechanical Failure: The occupants claim the bus is currently inoperable, preventing its relocation.
“When somebody does that, they can gain residency rights,” Guile explained. “And that makes it more difficult to remove someone. It’s no longer ‘get off my property,’ it’s an eviction process.”
City Violations and Neighborhood Impact
While the civil dispute remains in the courts, the City of Vassar has identified clear municipal violations. Guile confirmed that the bus’s presence violates two specific city ordinances:
- Parking a commercial vehicle in a residential area.
- Inhabiting a commercial vehicle as a primary residence.
Neighbors have also filed formal complaints with the city regarding the bus. Despite these violations, the PPO remains the primary obstacle preventing Sherman from accessing her home, forcing her to seek shelter in her car while the legal process unfolds.
Looking Ahead
The Tuscola County legal system must now weigh the merits of the PPO against Sherman’s property rights. City officials have expressed a desire for a mediated timeline to allow for bus repairs and a peaceful exit, though Sherman maintains that the only “wonderful” outcome is the immediate removal of the vehicle.
As of this report, the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office has not issued a formal statement regarding the timeline for the eviction proceedings.
