Good Samaritan Faces Hefty Bill In Hotel Damages After Helping Man During Winter Weather

A McClain County woman said she was completely shocked to learn the room she paid for someone to keep warm during winter weather was destroyed.

Jennifer Martinez said she helped several individuals with room and board ahead of this week's snowstorms.

“I can't even stand out here for very long without being cold,” Martinez said. “I couldn't imagine having to sleep out here overnight.”

Martinez said it wasn't just her who extended a helping hand. It was a group effort.

People in the community and hotel staff pitched in for extra nights and food but that all stopped Wednesday for one man staying at Ruby's Inn and Restaurant.

“He broke the window to the room, he dented the door, he tore the tables up, he broke the arms off of the chairs, he broke the mirror,” Martinez said.

Since Martinez's name is on the bill, she is responsible for about 3800 dollars in damages.

“I make bare income,” Martinez said. “I mean $3,800. I wouldn't even cover that with two of my full paychecks.”

The owner of the business said this is the second room destroyed this year. Most of the items destroyed must be special ordered and can take up to a month to be fixed.

Hotel staff said this is just piling on to their list of challenges they have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Martinez said she understands and no one is at fault. She said the man she helped has a mental illness. The experience has her re-thinking how she'll help others going forward.

“In the future, I will still help,” Martinez said. “I would just provide a meal and a tent or a blanket or maybe try to get them help to get to a shelter instead of putting my name on the financials.”