Prosecution sought for owners of filthy Canfield home
By Elise Franco
efranco@vindy.com
Canfield
Betsy Spin
Brian Spin
The owners of 535 Brookpark Drive have run out of chances, says the Mahoning County District Board of Health.
Mary Helen Smith, director of environmental health, said John and Georgia Holowach, who are listed as owners of that property, have done nothing to comply with the abate order placed on the home after it was deemed uninhabitable in October 2009.
The Holowachs’ daughter Betsy Spin, 32, and her husband, Brian Spin, 38, lived in the home.
The Spins were charged by Canfield police Oct. 22, 2009, with child endangering and animal cruelty after 10 dogs, two cats and two children — ages 7 and 2 — were removed from the home. The charges are pending.
All 12 animals were euthanized because of poor health.
Canfield Detective Brian McGivern said when police entered the house in October, it was filled with garbage, animal and human waste, and mold.
Smith said the abatement order was issued Nov. 3, and the board of health gave the property owners several months to either clean up the house following board standards, sell it or tear it down.
Because no action was taken, Smith said she sent the order to Mahoning County Area Court in Canfield seeking prosecution.
“We’ve asked the [property owner] repeated times to abate the nuisance, and they have not done that,” she said.
Joe Warino, Canfield city manager, said city officials want to demolish the house. The question now, he said, is when that will happen.
“We’re looking at being able to demolish the house and [tax] lien the property to recoup our cost,” he said. “It’s all contingent upon when we have the legal ability to step in. I imagine it would come down immediately after that.”
He added: “There are still some issues out there as to who holds ownership of the home. ... Those are things that have to be resolved before the city can step in and take action.”