LOVE AFTER LOCKUP Michael Simmons and girlfriend Maria have 4 children, facing eviction
Love After Lockup‘s Michael Simmons was released from jail last week after his attorney filed a motion revealing Michael, his girlfriend Maria, and their four children are having an extremely difficult time and at risk of being homeless.
As Starcasm previously reported, Michael was arrested in Miami on August 7 after warrants were issued in four separate criminal cases.
Michael was being held without bond. His attorney filed a motion to modify Michael’s bond conditions on August 27. The motion requested that Michael be released on his own recognizance because his “family is experiencing a horrible sequence of events, and [Maria] and their four children need Mr. Simmons’ help in securing new housing at this pivotal point to avoid being on the street.”
Michael and Maria’s four children include a two-year-old daughter and a three-year-old daughter by birth. The couple also have two adopted sons ages 15 and 18. (Maria is referred to as Michael’s girlfriend, but the adopted children have Michael’s last name.)
The motion states that two of the couple’s children have autism, one of which is severe. In addition, the couple’s oldest adopted son has a severe learning disability.
The family was receiving social security support for the two children with autism. Towards the end of June, the couple’s three-year-old daughter broke Maria’s phone. When it became time to renew the social security benefits for their 15-year-old son, the social security office was unable to get in contact with Maria. “She is now working to renew the benefits as she recently got a new phone,” the motion reveals.
(Maria was getting her new phone when Michael allegedly stole a phone belonging to a worker at the AT&T store. That’s why he was facing a felony theft charge.)
In addition to the social security issues, Michael and Maria are also facing eviction and homelessness.
Michael and Maria were receiving Section 8 assistance that lowered their rent from $3,500 to $500. A few months ago, they received notice their Section 8 voucher was being canceled at the end of July “because they had failed to make certain repairs under their lease.”
More from the motion:
Their landlord initiated formal eviction proceedings on August 10th for failure to make rent payments and the case is still ongoing.
Mr. Simmons and [Maria] do not have family in Miami to stay with. The only option is for them to find another place to live.
With Mr. Simmons now back in custody, [Maria] is forced to find a new place on her own while still caring for their four children. [Maria] has reached out to homeless assistance programs, but they have not been able to help her as of now.
Mr. Simmons is willing to abide by any conditions this court deems necessary to ensure his presence. He is willing to check in with the court weekly, and provide any additional documentation the court deems necessary.
If the court is not inclined to grant ROR with weekly check-ins, Mr. Simmons is willing to be given a date for him to turn himself back into custody. This family is experiencing a horrible sequence of events, and [Maria] and their four children need Mr. Simmons’ help in securing new housing at this pivotal point to avoid being on the street.
According to VINE, Michael was released and placed under community supervision on September 1. Court records indicate he was placed on 90 days probation.
Michael is still facing misdemeanor charges of petit theft, unauthorized used of a credit card, resisting an officer without violence, and possession of marijuana. He is due back in court on September 29.
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Asa Hawks is a writer and editor for Starcasm. You can contact Asa via Twitter, Facebook, or email at starcasmtips(at)yahoo.com
