A family in California is stuck with unwanted houseguest—their former nanny.
Marcella and Ralph Bracamonte told ABC News they asked their nanny to leave after she failed to perform her duties. Instead of packing her stuff and moving on to the next gig, their nanny simply refused to leave and is currently still living in their home. AWKWARD.
According to ABC News, the Bracamontes hired Diane Stretton, 64, in March as a nanny for their three children, ages 1, 4 and 11. They said their agreement with her was that she care for the children and help around the house in exchange for room and board.
The family told ABC News at first Stretton was a great nanny, but that didn’t last long. “All of a sudden she stopped working, she would stay in her room all day and only come out when food was ready,” said Bracamonte.
Bracamonte said Stretton told the family she had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which limited her ability to help out around the house. On June 6, after the couple approached her about their future expectations for her role, Stretton reportedly told them she could no longer do the job and would leave in 30 days. However she later refused to sign a 30-day-notice they put in writing.
When I asked her why she wouldn’t sign the letter she said ‘It’s not legal,’ and slammed the door in my face,” Bracamonte recalled. “Once she said the word legal, I knew it wasn’t going to be fun.”
Bracamonte called the police, but the cops declined to do anything, saying it was a civil matter. Lt. John Moore of the Upland Police Department confirmed to ABC News that there is no immediate action that can be taken against Stretton, saying “generally, once somebody has established residency, you have to go through a formal eviction process.”
Bracamonte soon realized that this was not Stretton’s first time with legal matters. Stretton reportedly has been involved in 36 lawsuits, landing herself on California’s Vexatious Litigant Lists for repeatedly abusing the legal system.
According to the Bracamontes, Stetton is indeed threatening to sue them for elder abuse and wrongful termination.
Meanwhile, she is still living in their house (who does this?) and the couple said they are worried about her being around their children.
I. Am. Speechless. I guess there’s only one thing to do now—make up names for the inevitable Lifetime movie about this whole thing:
The Nanny Who Wouldn’t Go
Mary Squatters
Mrs. Doubt I’m Going To Leave Anytime Soon
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, Eats All Your Food, Doesn’t Pay Rent and Threatens to Sue You If You Ask Them To Leave
I could see Stephanie Zimbalist in at least one of these.
Image via Shutterstock.