Texas Woman Says TikTok Challenge is the Reason Her Home Was Flooded
A woman in Jarrell, Texas says social media is to blame for flood damage done to her new home.
Samantha Sandoval and her family were to move into their new home on Monday. The day before their move, they found their sinks and bathtubs filled with water along with water on the floors.
She said someone broke into the home through an unlocked window, plugged up several sinks and bathtubs and left the water running.
The crime left her emotional.
"Lots of tears. I was just upset, and then it went from that to angry. We were just angry that the gentleman that called us on Sunday said there's a TikTok trend going around, speculation that it could be related because it was so prominent the week before in the schools in the area," Sandoval said.
Earlier this month, some Central Texas schools dealt with the effects of a TikTok challenge that encourages students to vandalize bathrooms. It was called the #bathroom challenge or #deviouslicks challenge.
Sandoval is getting help finding a temporary place to live from a local real estate agency. A representative with the agency is checking other properties daily to make sure they have not been damaged.
Repairs are being made to Sandoval's house and she says the will take weeks to be completed.
"They're having to build the house again from the inside out," she said.
In a housing market that is already short on labor and supplies, Sandoval hopes this delay won't put a dent in her pocketbook.
So, tell us what you think of this story? Have you heard of the #bathroom challenge? Have you seen or heard of vandalized bathrooms here in San Angelo? Let us know on Facebook or on our station app.