San Bernardino haunted house funding family's medical care closed by ‘code enforcement'

Caitlin Manor Haunted House has provided Halloween scares and helped fund critical medical costs for the owner’s daughter for over a decade.

Now, the attraction in downtown San Bernardino has been forced to close its doors after the city claimed it didn’t pass a safety inspection, meaning owner Augie Cowan may not be able to cover the medical care required for his daughter’s metachromatic leukodystrophy, or MLD.

“We deeply regret to share that the Caitlin Manor Haunted House for Andrea has been shut down by code enforcement,” a statement on the house’s website said. “We have followed all the steps to run as a legit business but have received unlawful behavior. We sincerely apologize to everyone affected.”

A city spokesperson said their staff went to the house on Oct. 1 to inspect the property on 4th Street and E Street. The building inspector cited several code violations and noted that one of the two exits was inaccessible.

The next day, Cowan canceled the inspection, according to the city. When inspectors showed up on Friday, he was not at the house, the city said. 

Cowan said he can’t fix the safety issues because the city won’t allow him to open the house for business.

“[The city] gave me a list and I didn’t understand it,” Cowan said. “They said there was loose electrical. We don’t have that.”

Cowan said his 17-year-old daughter is stable in hospice, but he’s worried that without the money he collects from the manor, he may not be able to continue paying for it. MLD is a rare, genetic disorder that affects the functioning of the brain and nervous system.

“We have a hospital room and a van for her,” Cowan said. “A lot of the costs add up (to) close to $20,000 a year.”

The haunted house has moved to multiple locations since it opened 13 years ago. Cowan said this isn’t the first time he’s faced safety violation claims. 

The attraction only opens on weekends in October, giving Cowan three more to generate revenue. 

Cowan met with the city on Monday to see if he will be able to accept visitors on Friday.

The house’s website said it will post the latest updates on its social media accounts.

Source: NBC Los Angeles