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YOU ASK. WE INVESTIGATE. North Las Vegas woman says landlord won't allow another foster child

One child is already on the lease
Posted at 6:37 PM, Apr 17, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-17 21:37:55-04

A North Las Vegas foster mom said her landlord is preventing her from taking on a second foster child.

When Precious Pettaway moved into the home she currently rents, she had one foster child -- a little girl. 

"Being a foster parent is just like bring a parent," said Pettaway. "Regardless, they're children. Either you birthed them or you didn't, they're still kids and we're just here to love them and teach them and guide them until things can get better with family, hopefully."

Pettaway has thoroughly enjoyed fostering the now 2-year-old. 

"It's wonderful seeing her smile and the different milestones she's achieving," said Pettaway.

A few weeks ago, Pettaway got a call. The foster agency taking care of the girl's brother needs a foster home for him, too, and they would like to keep the sister and brother together. This agency requires the foster parents to have their landlord sign a document, acknowledging they're fostering and approving it. Pettaway said her landlord will not sign it. 

"It's fine to add an additional occupant if it's my birth child, but for me to add an additional occupant as a foster child, that is not OK," Pettaway said. "To me, it's discrimination."

13 Action News went to talk with the property management group, GoldenWest Management, but they said the homeowner would have to sign the document and they cannot.

We also reached out to the city of North Las Vegas, who said this is a landlord-tenant issue. Clark County said family services does not have the authority to get involved in landlord-tenant issues, but that Pettaway could try taking the homeowner to court.