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Hard times continue for homeless mother, two kids

Tina Crochran struggles to hold a job and care for her disabled son.

Tina Crochran, 29, wheels out her son, Unik, while her other son, Unko, follows behind as they leave a house they stayed at for the night. The three have been homeless since October.

Contributed photo Tina Crochran, 29, wheels out her son, Unik, while her other son, Unko, follows behind as they leave a house they stayed at for the night. The three have been homeless since October.

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By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer 10:19 PM Friday, February 10, 2012

SPRINGFIELD — Tina Crochran never imagined she would find herself living in her car with her two sons.

“I was ashamed that I had let myself get in this predicament, and I didn’t want no one to know that I was homeless,” she said.

The 29-year-old has moved from house to house, sleeping on the floors of friends and family since October. It’s not an easy task with Ukno, 2, and Unik, 11, in tow.

Unik is unable to walk or talk after he was struck by a car six years ago. He uses a feeding tube. Each year is more difficult as he becomes heavier to lift in and out of his wheelchair. Crochran’s been unable to keep a steady job since she said she can’t find reliable care for her son.

“I have a job — taking care of my disabled child,” she said.

Crochran admits her issues started because she was “with the wrong people” and caught with a friend who had drugs. Kicked out of Springfield’s subsidized housing as a result, she’s waiting to find suitable accommodations with the Dayton Metropolitan Housing Authority.

Now, what little she owns fits in three laundry baskets. Burglars broke into her uncle’s house at 513 Fair Street, stealing clothes, furniture and medical equipment she was storing there.

Police confirmed the theft and have charged Lisa Wells, 45, with a felony count of receiving stolen property in connection with the case. She is awaiting arraignment.

The burglary was upsetting, but it was the loss of the pictures of Unik before the crash that brings her to tears.

“I have him physically, but mentally he has been gone for years,” Crochran said.

Her mother, Arlena Crochran, said she helps as much as she can, but being disabled and living in a two-bedroom house makes it sometimes too much for her. She hopes her daughter can find a permanent solution.

“For those that pass judgment, walk in her shoes for just half a day, come back and then make your comment,” she said. “She’s a strong young lady.”

Calls to Dayton Metropolitan Housing were not returned. A fund has been set up for Unik Crochran at Security National Bank.

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