Pocono News Section

Man Sentenced for Living in Family's Attic

Man Sentenced for Living in Family's Attic - Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 5:10PM EST

Reported by: Mark Hiller
Tuesday, Jul 7, 2009 @ 05:10pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- A man who hid in the attic of a Luzerne County home and burglarized it last December is going to jail.

21-year-old Stanley Carter of Arkansas was sentenced to spend up to 23-months in prison. He committed the crimes Christmas week. And the victims are still struggling with their sense of security.

Homeowner Stacy Ferrance said, "The safety of our house is definitely gone right now and that's something that we need to build back up."

Ferrance speaks about the fears she and her 3-children experience to this day at their Plains Township, Wyoming Street home. "I was definitely violated, the kids were definitely violated so it's just something that we have to, you know, go on day by day," she said.

21-year-old Stanley Carter was staying with the family living next door because he had no home and no job. Police investigated when the Ferrances noticed items missing from their home.

CarterÕs friend Bobbie Jo Groner said, "The cops came over and thought it was us burglarizing their house."

Bobbie Jo Groner had no idea Carter was hiding in the attic. She thought he moved out after staying with her family for 2-months. Now, she feels betrayed and no longer lives at the house.

"It's awful that you try to help somebody out and they do something like this to you," said Groner.

Carter's crime was so bizarre, it got national attention. He ate the Ferrance's food, wore their clothing and even used their toothbrush -- all while living in a make-shift bed in the attic. CarterÕs lawyer Basil Russin said, "He's certainly sorry for what he did. He was 20 years old at the time, he used poor judgment and it was immature."

Carter said in court he knows how much he hurt the family. Stacy Ferrance's 5-year-old daughter still can't sleep alone since the crime. ÒHaving 3 kids, especially my youngest one being as upset and as shaky as she is, he has no idea," said Ferrance.

Carter will get credit for more than 6-months time already served. That means he could get out of prison in as little as 3 more months.

Carter must also make more than $1,600 restitution. He's already been offered a job and a place to live by a tow-truck business owner in the Hazleton area.