GLADEVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Someone stole an RV and the only home a disabled woman had near Gladeville.
Bernadette Bidwell lived in the mobile home off of McCrary Road in Wilson County. According to the Wilson County Sheriff, the trailer was stolen sometime last Thursday or Friday.
Bidwell's friends discovered the RV was missing when they drove by and saw it had disappeared. The power cords to the trailer were cut. Bidwell is beloved by the Gladeville community, who has taken her in over the years.
"She's been a member of our community for a long time. We just try to take care of her and see to her, make sure she's warm and fed, got a roof over her head," Freida Beazley, Bidwell's friend, said.
The camper is a 2005 Palomino Puma. According to Bidwell's friends, it was purchased by Bidwell with her life savings and was worth about $6,500.
Bidwell is now homeless. She's living on the front porch of an abandoned house while the townsfolk are trying to figure out a way to get her shelter before the winter comes.
A GoFundMe page was started for her trailer. So far, more than $3,000 has been raised.
"Please help me find my trailer, my home. So, I can go back to my land," said Bernadette.
"I think she's had a rough life," said Margaret Bigbie. "A really rough life and to be homeless and no family whatsoever here, she has nobody. Somebody has to protect her."
