Grandma: "If It Hadn't Been for Them, I'd Be in Jail"

Updated 1:18 PM PST, Mon, Jan 26, 2009

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INDIO, Calif. -- An 83-year-old grandmother will not serve jail time for turning her garage into a living space without a permit, under an agreement with the city of La Quinta that gives her a three-year extension to bring the space up to code.

"I can live in my home," Ageda Camargo said with a smile. "It gives me the freedom to live in my own home because my grandson and my granddaughter take care of me."

Camargo, who previously pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of failure to obtain a construction permit, signed the agreement with the city Monday night at her home at 53800 Avenida Montezuma.

In light of the agreement, Judge Gregory J. Olson agreed Tuesday to delay her sentencing to April 15 -- the date by which she must have completed a short list of improvements, which includes updating the electrical wiring in the garage.

La Quinta City Attorney Noam Duzman said if she has complied by that date, "we will dismiss the case."

Once the "short list" tasks have been done, Camargo will have another three years to bring the space completely up to code, but will have the option of applying for an extension if needed, according to Mark Moran, an advocate for senior citizens.

"While Mrs. Camargo is alive, she does not have to change the garage," Moran said. "She's not going to be required to do anything except she has to bring the garage up to code."

The next owner will be required to convert the living space back into a garage, Moran said.

He stepped in last November and brought Camargo's case before the City Council, which agreed on the alternative settlement.

"If it hadn't been for them, I'd be in jail, I guess," Camargo said.

A local general contractor, Larry Deason of Evolve, has agreed to do the electrical work for free.

"I can't do any of that stuff (otherwise)," Camargo said of the electrical work. "I don't have any money."

Camargo says she lives on Social Security and reverse mortgage income of $513 a month. She said that before Moran came to her aid, she did not know how she would pay a threatened $3,000 fine.

Camargo, who declared last October that she would serve 30 days in jail if she had to, was notified of the violation in June 2007.

Duzman said Camargo had been given several chances to comply with the law.

"We give people a long time to do this," the city attorney said. "We've waited over two years to come to this point."

Camargo said the reason she could not comply was because of her waning health and lack of money.

"The (city) lawyer said I was recalcitrant. I was sick," Camargo said.

Around the time the city began enforcing the code requirements, Camargo said she was in a car accident that left her wearing a neck brace. Her health began to slip at that point, she said.

"When she gets worried, she gets sick," granddaughter Alexandra Head said.

Duzman said if the city knew Camargo had health issues, they would have worked with her to find a solution.

"In the past, she would not do any of the work," Duzman said. "This acknowledges there are life and safety issues. We would always tell her we would give her time to do it. She just never would agree to do the work."

Camargo said her two-bedroom home was built more than 30 years ago.

"We have a big family," she said. "We were here when there was nothing but desert."

Her 30-year-old grandson, Jarrod Head, lives in the converted garage. He and sister Alexandra, who lives inside the home, take care of their grandmother.

"As long as I live, they (the city) won't bother me," Camargo said.