SANDY -- Eudene Hult lives with an odd problem that makes her laugh and cry and occasionally tremble.

"My house has a stalker," she said, standing in the entryway of a new $2 million home she's afraid to move into.

The stalker is Brittany Schon Fern, 44, a mentally ill woman who became obsessed with Eudene and Dale Hult's house in 2007, before the custom-built 8,000-square-foot home even had walls.What happened during the next two years -- a frustrating cycle of police reports, verbal and written warnings, trespass citations, court hearings -- shows how hard it can be to resolve disputes based on mental illness.

Fern resolutely believes media mogul Ted Turner intends to give her the house. "She's gone to the neighbors to ask where the cameras are hidden," said Eudene Hult, so Fern will know where to look in mock surprise as Turner's people hand her the key to her new mansion.

She is so convinced, in fact, that Fern has convinced others. She successfully fired contractors, had windows removed and bought furniture.

"She stopped at our house last month and told the tile guy she didn't approve of the tile," said Eudene Hult, who goes by Dena.

After one of Fern's visits, a confused worker called Dale Hult to apologize. "We're sorry your wife is so upset," he said.

Their own paradise

It is easy to see why someone might fall in love with the Hults' fanciful Street of Dreams quality home, built on the rewards of years of hard work in the land-surveying business.

The couple, in their 50s, built and occupied several homes during their long marriage. This one, Dena Hult said, "is our last hurrah."

The house sits on 20 peaceful acres of pasture. It was built with a big family in mind -- the couple have five children and 14 grandkids.

Dena Hult bought two sets of bicycles for her grandchildren -- one for outdoors and one for riding inside through the cavernous hallways that connect supersize rooms. Dale Hult built a shop big enough for a dozen recreational vehicles.

Throughout the two years it took to build the home, Fern haunted the property.

"She continues to come to our house. She continues to think she owns our home," Dena Hult said. "She says if she wants something bad enough, she can make it come to pass."

The couple planned to move in three weeks ago but held off.

Dena Hult said she is afraid be alone in the big house. She never knows when Fern might appear or what might happen when she finds the Hults living in a house she thinks is meant for her.

Last month, a huge new home burned not far from Sandy. When the Hults heard the news, one thought flashed in their imaginations.

Brittany Fern.

Unwanted visits

Fern has schizophrenia, is unpredictable and potentially volatile, said her half sister, Janet. The Wilsonville resident also fears Fern and spoke on the condition that her last name not be disclosed.

"I tried to help her, but she won't listen to me," Janet said, and through the years, "she's gotten a lot worse."

"I'm afraid of her. She could do anything. She could have a knife. She could have a gun," Janet said. "I asked her to stop calling. I changed my phone number. I can tell her to leave me alone, but she forgets."

Likewise, the Hults aren't sure what to do, and the legal system offers slight solace.

They repeatedly called the sheriff's office -- Fern was cited twice for criminal trespass -- tried unsuccessfully to get a restraining order and posted signs at the end of their driveway reminding Fern to stay away.

One says, "Brittany -- This is not your property." The other, "Brittany -- No trespassing."

The warnings didn't work. Reasoning proved equally fruitless. The restraining orders were rejected because Fern has made no specific threats.

Her path is plotted by the voices in her head. She refers to her unseen guides as "the group."

"She said, 'If I do everything the group tells me, I will get what I want,'" Dena Hult said.

When Dale Hult once again explained that the house didn't belong to her, Fern had an answer: "The group told me what you're going to say. I don't own the house. Let's get beyond that."

What next?

The Hults' best hope might be Clackamas County Circuit Judge Robert Selander.

"I don't want any mistake about it," Selander told Fern at a hearing earlier this month. I have more power than Ted Turner, the judge said, and if you don't have it from me, in writing, you can't go to the Hults' house. "Anything having to do with the property -- don't," the judge said.

Selander oversees the county's mental health court, which hears cases involving people with mental illnesses charged with lesser crimes. The court can help people who are convicted get treatment and keep them from recycling through the courthouse and jail.

After Fern missed a subsequent court appearance, Selander issued a warrant and she was taken into state custody.

"I really pray to God she gets help," Dena Hult said. "Right now, there is no solution."

Selander ruled that Fern was unable to assist in her defense and ordered a psychiatric examination at the state hospital in Salem. The next step will be another court hearing, but there are no assurances the issue will end there.

"I'm hoping the courts can take care of it," Dena Hult said. "I've been told it may take years before they can lock her up."

Meantime, the house sits empty, and Dena Hult is left to wonder.

"What happens when she gets out?"

-- Steve Mayes; stevemayes@news.oregonian.com