CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers said a woman broke the law by becoming a squatter at a $600,000 house in an upscale South Charlotte neighborhood.
Officers call it a crime, but in documents she sent to Channel 9 the woman said her religion protects her from prosecution.
Officials said Ninti El Bey has been calling the house on Kelly Woods Lane in Piper Glen home since the summer.
The house was foreclosed on and is owned by a bank. Officials said El Bey has been evicted and arrested for breaking and entering and second-degree trespass, but she keeps coming back.
Friday night Charlotte City Councilman Ed Driggs said El Bey has used loopholes in the law to try to stake her claim.
"They're taking advantage of provisions in the legal system that are intended to protect occupants of homes who are being evicted," said Driggs.
He said leaders are working behind the scenes on a plan to boot her from the house for good, but wouldn't go into details.
Neighbors told Channel 9 they're shocked that previous efforts haven't worked.
"That's what's so hard to believe. It's taken police so long to get these people moved out of the house. It's not their house," said neighbor Nancy Lowe.