NASHVILLE, TN — A woman from Nashville faces multiple charges after authorities say she deployed several bug foggers in her apartment while a family with a young child was still inside in an apparent effort to force them out.
Ervyana Davis, 23, was arrested Thursday following an incident earlier in the week that left a 4-year-old hospitalized with breathing difficulties, according to court records. Davis is being held in the Davidson County Jail on a $37,000 bond.
Investigators allege Davis attempted to speed up the removal of a family she wanted to evict from her rental unit. After police told her she needed to follow proper eviction procedures in civil court, Davis allegedly purchased multiple insect foggers on Wednesday and released them in the residence while the family remained inside.
Reports indicate the apartment was filled with five to sixteen bug foggers, far surpassing standard recommendations for safe use. The Environmental Protection Agency warns that, after these chemicals are deployed, residents and pets should vacate the premises for at least two to four hours. The EPA also cautions that only one fogger is typically necessary for a 25-by-25-foot area.
Medical personnel responded after the young child began coughing and experiencing severe trouble breathing. The child was transported to the hospital for treatment. Authorities did not report other injuries.
Davis is charged with two counts each of felony child abuse and misdemeanor offenses related to the incident. No attorney was listed for Davis in available court documents as of Sunday.
Illegal evictions that endanger occupants’ health and safety are rare but do occur, according to officials. Standard procedure requires landlords to obtain a court order and follow legal channels before removing tenants from a property.
This case raises concerns about the dangers of household pesticide misuse and highlights the risks that can arise when disputes between landlords and tenants escalate outside the legal system.
Davis is set to appear in court for her next hearing on Monday. The investigation remains ongoing.