A family in Covington, Kentucky, is facing a dire situation as they struggle to stay warm and safe during a cold winter storm. Jessica Tarter and her boyfriend have been living without heat and electricity for over ten days, caught in a bureaucratic tangle and facing an unresponsive landlord. The issue began when they discovered their home was illegally wired to steal electricity from Duke Energy, prompting the utility to disconnect service due to safety concerns. Since then, the couple and their dog have been living in their car to stay warm. Tarter pleaded with her landlord to address the issue, but the landlord has been unresponsive and has not taken action to resolve the problem. Frustrated, Tarter found an electrician through her church to rewire the home, but Duke Energy requires a $140 inspection fee to restore service, which Tarter cannot afford. The city has fined the landlord $250 for operating without a rental license, but the process to seek help from Legal Aid is time-consuming and the family is running out of time as a winter storm approaches. The family remains in a precarious situation, hoping for a resolution as the cold weather continues.
