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A Woodland family is currently staying at a hotel after discovering a major mold problem their apartment property is blaming them for. The family is now in limbo on what to do next.

Watch this story on air during our 11 p.m. newscast.

Araceli Castro and her husband Martin Evangelista told KCRA 3 Investigates that the mold spread from the floors and walls of the apartment all the way to their 9-year-old son's mattress, which they believe was making him sick. Castro and Evangelista said their family's health was at risk and property management didn't do its job.

The discovery of the mold infestation led to Woodland code enforcement to order an inspection in early May after finding the unit was in a "deplorable condition."

In emails obtained by KCRA 3 Investigates, the president of Laughton Properties told code enforcement that many of the issues in the unit were caused by "lack of housekeeping" and "outright damage" from the tenant.

Code enforcement responded to the emails and said there was prior water damage that was not caused by the tenants and said the only action management took was to place fans in the apartment instead of removing the carpet and requesting a mold test.

In a report from a third-party testing company dated May 11, workers found "elevated levels" of mold in the air and recommended immediate air scrubbing, the removal of all carpet and sheetrock, and the sanitization of walls and other surfaces, among other things.

The family, meanwhile, is just hoping for a safe and clean place to live.

Property management declined KCRA 3 Investigates request for an interview but sent our team a copy of what is called an "Offer to Surrender," which asks the family to relinquish possession of the apartment and receive $2,700 in cash.

The family has until May 28 to sign it, and property management says if they don't sign the document, the family will be evicted.

KCRA 3 Investigates has reached out to an attorney who is looking into this. We're working on more aspects of this story, including the rights tenants have in this situation.

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