Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Alex Cabrero reporting A family doing the right thing, is now paying the price.
We hear all the time we should turn in meth users. But would you if it meant losing your home?
We spoke to a Cache County family who is having second thoughts.
The Egberts say they didn't know a family member was cooking meth in their own home. But once they found out, they called police.
Now, they're out of a home.
Cristie Egbert, Smithfield Resident: "It's been really hard. There's mixed emotions and mixed feelings in our family."
There's no doubt you can call Carl and Cristie Egbert courageous. They turned in their own brother for doing meth. But because they did, you can also call them homeless.
Carl Egbert, Smithfield Resident: "Everything we had is gone... Just taken away."
You see, Carls' brother Tim was staying with them in their Smithfield home, until they say they found out he was cooking meth there. So, they called police and had him arrested.
Carl Egbert, Smithfield Resident: "It seems like there should be an award for doing this instead of a punishment."
Punishment, because now they can't go back inside their own home, and have to stay with family in Garland, 40 minutes away.
Cristie Egbert, Smithfield Resident: "We had no choice. Had to do what we did, and I don't regret it, but at the same time, I had no idea."
Because of any potential harmful vapors, you really can't blame the health department and the police department for not letting the Egberts go back into their home.
Cristie Egbert, Smithfield Resident: "Just to decontaminate the home is three to five weeks."
The problem is even affecting their neighbors who were trying to sell their house. It’s difficult when the home next to you has crime tape on it.
Jeff Olsen, Smithfield Resident: "Everybody who came to the door that weekend, that's the first question they asked, what's that across the street?"
Amy Olsen, Smithfield Resident: "I didn’t realize the impact of methamphetamine."
Neither did the Egberts; Until now.
Carl Egbert, Smithfield Resident: "I know we did the right thing, but you think about it, and you think I don't know if I’d do it again."
It could be three months before they can go back, but all their furniture will have to be replaced, and they have to pay for it. They're also driving their children to and from school in Logan everyday.
If you'd like to help the Egbert family, a fund has been set up at any Wells Fargo bank branch under the name "Egbert Family Fund."
