A troubling case in point has emerged in Tennessee, where a young woman allegedly sought to forcibly evict a family from her apartment by using toxic chemicals.
Ervyana Davis, 23, is facing serious legal implications after police say she set off multiple bug foggers inside her flat while a family, including a four-year-old toddler, was still inside. Davis was charged with two counts of felony child abuse and two misdemeanors.
According to local station WZTV, the incident occurred in the Nashville region when Davis became angry with the family’s refusal to depart her apartment. Despite contacting law enforcement for assistance, she was instructed to pursue a civil eviction process.
Instead of taking the legal path, Davis allegedly went to a store and bought six insect foggers, which are generally used to fumigate vermin in homes. On Wednesday, she reportedly let five to sixteen foggers inside the residence as the family remained inside.
The consequences were immediate. The 4-year-old youngster began coughing profusely and had difficulty breathing. The child was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Authorities verified that no more injuries had been reported.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets strict guidelines for the usage of bug foggers. According to the government, no one, including pets, should remain inside a residence while or immediately after a fogger is used. The EPA recommends that occupants stay away for at least two to four hours following activation.
“Breathing spray mist may be harmful,” the EPA states. “Safe use of these products requires that everyone, including pets, leave the treated space and close all doors after the foggers are released.”
Davis was arrested the following day, on Thursday, and taken into custody by the Davidson County authorities. She remains held at the Davidson County Jail in Nashville on a $37,000 bond as of Sunday morning.
She is set to appear in court on Monday. At the time of reporting, her legal representation was not identified in court documents.
The situation has generated concerns that tenant-landlord disputes will escalate beyond legal boundaries. Experts remind the public that eviction must be done in accordance with the law, and harmful alternatives endanger not only tenants but also those who try to handle things themselves.
