Joshua McAdams and his family returned to their home on the Weeki Wachee River property on March 15, after a Hernando County court ruled in their favor, overturning a wrongful eviction that had forced them out three months earlier. McAdams had been caring for the property, owned by Gayle Paige, 82, and her husband, Dean Creps, 75, in exchange for access to the river.
The dispute began when Paige was diagnosed with dementia and moved to a nursing home in New Hampshire. Creps remained behind, and the property fell into disrepair. McAdams said he spent weeks restoring the home, only to be served with an eviction notice in December. In court filings, Creps claimed he feared McAdams and that McAdams had locked him out of the home, allegations McAdams denies.
McAdams had struggled to find an attorney willing to take his case, but eventually, he was able to regain access to the property with the help of Hernando County Sheriff’s Deputy Rebello, who had escorted them from the property months earlier. McAdams’ son, Noah, had been diagnosed with leukemia, and the river became a special place for him to relax and heal.
The family was grateful to be back home, and McAdams said they were looking forward to continuing their life on the river. The property, built by Paige’s father in the 1960s, holds sentimental value for the family.
Originally reported by Hernando Sun
Sources: Hernando Sun
