A Bel Air mother of seven is confronting a humanitarian crisis after her family dwelling was violently dismantled in a contested property dispute, leaving her and four young children exposed and homeless. Cathy Gabriel recounts the traumatic incident which occurred while she and her children were present inside the modest structure.
The conflict centers on a Crown Lands property in Bel Air, originally developed by the father of Gabriel’s two youngest children. The land is formally leased to members of the father’s family, creating jurisdictional tensions following the couple’s separation. This legal ambiguity escalated into physical confrontation when individuals allegedly connected to the leaseholders arrived and systematically stripped the roof from the home.
Disturbing social media footage captures the family’s helplessness as their shelter is destroyed before their eyes. Gabriel can be seen in emotional distress while her children, aged 3 to 12, witness the demolition. She maintains that although she acknowledged the need to eventually vacate, she had requested reasonable time to secure alternative housing arrangements.
The situation intensified days prior when a physical altercation occurred between children from both households. Gabriel alleges that officers from the Marigot Police Station were present during the initial dismantling but departed before the situation reached its destructive climax. She claims building materials, including galvanized roofing obtained post-hurricane, became additional points of contention.
Gabriel had previously initiated contact with Crown Lands officials seeking relocation assistance, but found the response insufficient. She now appeals for immediate state intervention to provide both protection and permanent housing solutions. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident as investigations into the property dispute continue.