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Independence mother says she can't live inside mice-infested apartment

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An Independence, Missouri mother said she can’t live inside her mice infested apartment.

Debbie Kalantari moved into the Cedar Brooke Apartments last November. She said she saw the first mouse shortly after.

“When I first moved in, I noticed that big hole,” Kalantari said. “But I never thought anything about it until I started seeing the mice,”

She tried using traps herself and didn’t think much of the problem until it became more persistent.

“I’ve seen at least 20. If not more. And those are just ones I’ve seen and caught,” she said.

Kalantari said she reported the mice to her apartment complex in March, but management told 41 Action News it didn’t receive her report until April 3rd and she should have reported the problem when it first began.

Pest control sprayed two days after Kalantari’s initial complaint and again on Tuesday.

Kalantari said it is too late and she’s already had to move her young family out, after doctor’s orders.

“My daughter has congenital heart disease and she's already been through enough,” Kalantari said. “Even for other kids, who don't have complicated medical issues, it’s still not a safe place to live."

Kalantari is still paying rent. She asked the apartment complex to let her out of her lease but was denied.

Managers with the complex feel she’s being uncooperative and offered to move her to another unit, when one becomes available.

Kalantari said she needs an immediate solution.

“The lady responded to me and said’ this is a business,’ and I said I understand, but you would assume you would have a moral responsibility," said Kalantari.