Mom Says She Let a Family Live on Her Property in a School Bus And Now She’s The One Sleeping in Her Car

Sometimes helping someone in need can feel like the right thing to do. But one Michigan mom says her attempt to do a good deed for her daughter’s friends has turned into her being unable to enter her own home.

Kandie Sherman, a homeowner in Vassar, Michigan, says she allowed a family connected to her daughter to temporarily stay on her property last fall. The arrangement seemed simple at the time. According to Sherman, the family planned to park a converted school bus on her land for a short period while they figured out their next steps.

But months later, Sherman says the situation spiraled into a legal dispute that left her unable to even enter her own home.

The Family Was Supposed to Stay for Six Weeks

Sherman told local news outlet WNEM that she agreed to let the family park their bus on her property in October 2025. The understanding, she said, was that the stay would only last about six weeks.

“They were supposed to leave within six weeks,” Sherman said. “They refuse to leave.”

She said she believed the family was self-sufficient and would eventually move on after getting back on their feet.

Instead, the bus stayed parked on her property for months.

A Legal Dispute Made the Situation Worse

When Sherman tried to resolve the situation, she says things quickly escalated.

According to reports, she attempted to file eviction paperwork to have the family removed from her property. But around the same time, the family reportedly obtained a personal protection order (PPO) against her.

The protection order now prevents Sherman from going near the bus, and because of where it is parked, she says it also blocks her from accessing her own home.

Sherman told reporters that the situation forced her to sleep in her car while she waits for the legal process to move forward.

She described feeling “frustrated, helpless, and angry” about how the situation unfolded.

Why It’s Not Easy to Remove the Bus

Local officials say the situation may have become more complicated because of residency rules.

Vassar police chief and interim city manager Ben Guile explained that when someone stays at a property for a long period of time, especially if they begin receiving mail there, they can potentially establish residency.

Once that happens, simply asking them to leave may no longer be enough.

“It’s no longer ‘get off my property,’ it’s an eviction process,” Guile said.

Officials also said the bus residents may be violating local ordinances by living in a commercial vehicle and parking it in a residential area.

Mechanical Problems Have Delayed the Move

Authorities say part of the reason the bus hasn’t been removed yet is because it reportedly has mechanical issues and can’t currently be driven away.

City officials have been working with the occupants to establish a timeline to move the bus off the property once repairs are complete.

Meanwhile, neighbors have also reportedly filed complaints with the city about the situation.

A Possible Solution Is Emerging

Recent updates suggest the situation may finally be close to resolving.

According to officials, a local church stepped in to help arrange repairs for the bus. A diesel mechanic reportedly volunteered to help get the vehicle running again so the family can move it from the property.

Once the repairs are finished, the family is expected to relocate and leave the property.

If that happens, Sherman could soon regain access to her home after months of uncertainty.

A Situation That Started With a Good Deed

The story has sparked discussion online about the risks that can come with informal living arrangements, even when someone is trying to help.

In Sherman’s case, what began as an act of kindness for her daughter’s friends turned into a complicated legal situation involving residency rights, eviction procedures, and court orders.

For now, she says she’s just hoping the bus is repaired soon so she can finally return to her home.