Family Back From Vacation Finds Stranger Living In Their House

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. -- A Georgia family is trying to figure out why a woman moved into their home while they were away on vacation.

Video: Family Finds Uninvited Guest

Beverly Mitchell, of the Atlanta suburb of Douglasville, said she returned from 2½ weeks in Greece to find that her personal belongings -- including clothes, furniture and dishes -- had been removed. She said most of the carpet had also been taken out and the house had been redecorated.

"I was ready to strangle this woman," Mitchell said. "How could you not know someone lives here?"

Sheriff's deputies found Beverly Valentine, 53, in a bathroom and charged her with burglary. Police said Valentine told them she used a shovel to break into the house.

Mitchell said the woman had the electricity switched over to her name and also moved in a washer and dryer. She brought in her own furniture, clothes and decorations and even repainted rooms in the house.

"Now we have portraits hanging on the wall that we didn't have before," Mitchell said. "And we've got all kinds of new appliances."

Mitchell has moved all of Valentine's belongings out but doesn't know what to do with them. She hopes the woman's relatives will reclaim the goods.

"It's the most bizarre thing I've ever seen," Mitchell said.

Investigators at the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said they are unsure why Valentine moved into the woman's home. The suspect has not yet explained her actions.

"She's never met her before so we really don't know why this lady picked this particular house," said sheriff's Lt. Bobby Holmes.