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CALL 6: Jury rules against Morgan Co. family made sick by home contaminated with meth

Agent, company, and previous homeowner cleared
Posted at 7:00 PM, Sep 26, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-30 17:57:17-04

MOORESVILLE, Ind. -- A jury ruled ruled against a Morgan County family Friday in their breach of contract and fraud case. 

Christopher and Jennifer Nugent were hoping the jury would hold their real estate agent, real estate company and previous homeowners accountable for the sale of a home that turned out to be contaminated with meth.

The Nugents bought the home on Antioch Lane  in May of 2013. Shortly after moving in, the family's dog unexpectedly died. Then the whole family became ill and they began noticing brown stains around their home. 

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They had to abandon the home and leave behind everything they owned just 10 months later, in 2014. 

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The Nugents filed a breach of contract and fraud lawsuit against real estate agent Lori Argue, her son Joshua Argue and Jelisa Argue as well as Carpenter Realtors. They argue that during the sale of their home, the Argues failed to disclose any hazardous conditions on the property.

A six-person jury disagreed after a four day trial in Martinsville.

Meth is so toxic that the cleanup can cost up to $10,000. The Nugents' insurance company, Indiana Farm Bureau, rejected their claim, stating their policies have "pollution exclusions" and "latent defect exclusions." Read full statement from Indiana Farm Bureau