Deborah Calley had a serious car accident in 2008 that resulted in bruises to her brain and several years of recovery. In 2010, unable to drive, she purchased a home near her children's school and paid for it in cash.

This year, the city of Kalamazoo is claiming she missed one property tax payment and the city has begun foreclosing on her home despite evidence that she never even received a late payment notice:



As for the single letter that was addressed to her home, Calley said she didn’t get that one either. “I know for a fact that it went back to this company called Title Check, because I have a receipt from the person at Title Check who signed it at their address in Kalamazoo,” Calley said.

“She’ll pay it today if they’ll let her,” Doorlag said. “The government will take her home — the only thing that she has that she owns that’s paid off free and clear. That is her future and her retirement and her kids’ future. She will lose it to the government unless the judge has mercy.”

FOX 17 contacted Kalamazoo County treasurer Mary Balkema, who referred us to Thom Canny, Kalamazoo County corporate counsel. He said other letters were sent to Calley in addition to the 10 listed in the court file. The county is within its legal rights to take her home, he said. “If this was a case where there was a default or a defect in the notices, then we would agree that it shouldn’t go to foreclosure,” Canny said. “But, it’s just too late.”

She only has a few more days to convince a judge she never received the notice:And local officials aren't budging:Sadly, a local realtor said this is a common occurrence in Michigan, particularly for the elderly and widows. You can see the local news report and interview with Calley here.