Family claims toxic mold killed their loved one

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Family claims toxic mold killed their loved one

http://www.kget.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=90D242E9-5D19-

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Posted 07/22/05

BAKERSFIELD,Ca - Family members of a woman who was found dead in her

home believe toxic mold is to blame for her death.

Athena Rodman, 30, was found in her Mojave apartment Saturday. Her

co-workers raised money for Rodman's 6-year-old son Thursday.

" When I went into the living room to ask her if I could have some

Kool Aid, she wasn't breathing, " said Rodman's son, Rodman.

" It didn't seem real until I went over there and watched my best

friend being brought out of her house in a body bag, " said

McFarlane.

Friends and family said toxic mold inside Rodman's apartment is to

blame.

" She had a respiratory infection. She had an infection through her

whole body, " said Rodman's mother, Barbara Hoffman. " The doctors

believe it was from mold that was in her apartment that was never

taken care of. "

The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office is conducting an autopsy to

confirm that, but family members said the death could have been

prevented.

" I saw mold on the walls, " said Hoffman. " The one bedroom was the

worst. "

Family members said they approached the apartment management about

the situation, but didn't receive a response until Rodman was

hospitalized in March for breathing problems.

" She didn't have any heart problems, it was all respiratory, so that

kind of points in that direction, " said Najera.

Rodman was a volunteer at Kern's Community Action Partnership, and

her coworkers held a Build-A-Burrito fundraiser to raise money for

Rodman's son.

" This was her livelihood, she lived for this, " said Najera, who also

volunteered. " She lived to be an advocate for children, not just her

son, but all the children. The community at large. "

The fundraiser raised more than $800, but family members and friends

said nothing can bring back their loved one.

If you would like to make a donation to Rodman's family, you can

contact the Community Action Partnership at 336-5236, extension 581.

Or you can drop off a donation at any Wells Fargo. The account

number is 88-11-09-72-30.

The management at Oak Creek Apartments said the believe Rodman's

death is not form the toxic mold, but they believe her weight played

a factor.

The Los Angeles County Coroner doesn't expect to have results of

Rodman's autopsy for at least two weeks.