Pennywise seems to have taken residence in the sewers of Maryland.
A woman from Baltimore has reported that a man living in the sewers has been harassing children in her neighborhood, leading to her frustration. Unique Wiggins was initially skeptical about her children’s claims that they were being bothered by someone in the sewers, as noted by a local news source.
However, after hearing their complaints multiple times, she decided to look into the situation herself.
“One Friday, my 21-year-old daughter called me, panicked. I asked what was wrong, and she said, ‘Mom, I’m scared. The man told me I can’t walk here and to just dip.’ I was taken aback and asked, ‘What man?’ She quickly clarified, ‘The man in the sewer,’” Wiggins recounted.
Curious, she approached a manhole and heard someone singing. “I thought, ‘This is unbelievable.’ So I called out to him, and he responded. I told him to leave my kids alone,” she recounted. To her surprise, he retorted, “No, tell them to leave me alone.” She couldn’t believe it. “They can’t possibly be bothering you while you’re down there,” she replied.
This man even went so far as to chase her children down the street, prompting her to contact the police.
The police, according to Wiggins, explained that sewers and culverts fall under public property, essentially limiting their ability to evict the man from his underground dwelling.
“I don’t feel safe. My kids don’t feel safe. I’m not suggesting he should go to jail, but perhaps he shouldn’t be living down in the sewer,” she expressed her concerns.
Wiggins believes local officials should take more action to ensure the safety of her children and the community as a whole. “They could set up a no trespassing sign and cover the manholes. That would make me feel more secure as a resident here,” she said.
The police stated that they did arrest the man on July 26, but he was released shortly afterward. Recently, a “peace order”—unrelated to the earlier arrest—was obtained and served to him, they mentioned.
They also indicated that they attempted to offer him assistance but to no avail and have put up a no trespassing sign at a storm drain following community complaints. Importantly, they clarified that “no manhole is involved.”
“The County has made significant efforts to provide resources to this individual. A no-trespassing sign is now in place,” a spokesperson for the department commented.
Baltimore County Housing and Development remarked that everyone deserves safety and dignity, especially those facing homelessness or behavioral health issues.
“We are dedicated to helping residents connect with resources during their time of need,” they added, providing contact details for hotlines related to shelter and crisis intervention.
According to police, the man is due to appear in court on Monday.
