By BERNADETTE GIACOMAZZO
"It's difficult when people misconstrue things."
Swanson was responding to published reports about an incident on Feb. 15 that led to his house being sealed up, his family split up and his pets taken by the Town of Hempstead's Animal Control unit. According to those reports, Rockville Centre police "rescued" a 1-year-old boy from a squalid and dilapidated house with a fallen roof and numerous electrical violations. The police were called to the home after reports of a fight.
But Swanson said that what the police found was only half of the story. "Perhaps things weren't maintained the way they always were," he said, "but never, ever, would we put anyone in danger. My nephew and pets - everyone in that house - was always cared for."
Swanson said that the house fell into disrepair about a year ago, after his father, Robert Swanson, became ill with a heart condition. The elder Swanson was immobilized and incapable of maintaining the house properly, as he once did. "My father and uncle were going to sell the house prior to this incident," said Swanson, "because it was too difficult to maintain because of his condition."
The fight that broke out was also "blown out of proportion," according to Swanson. His brother, who is mildly mentally disabled, had invited some friends over as he was watching his 1-year-old nephew. When two of them began arguing, Swanson's brother panicked and called the police. The officers who responded removed the child and the pets from the home, cited the Swansons for numerous violations and declared the house unlivable.
Published reports stated that the 1-year-old was turned over to a friend of the family and the pets went to Hempstead Animal Control. Swanson insisted that despite his brother's disability, "I would totally trust him with my child, if I had one. He would never hurt anyone, and he's very responsible."
For now, the family is trying to return the house to a semblance of normalcy. Swanson said that his nephew is now with his sister and brother-in-law, his pets have been returned and the family is trying to bring the house up to code to prepare it for sale. Swanson said it's wrong to pre-judge the situation without knowing all the facts."There are real people, with real problems, involved in this. It's not just a sensationalist headline," he said.
The Rockville Centre Building Department had no comment for the Herald.
Comments about this story? BGiacomazzo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 240.
