Letter from the founder

Why we are here

At one time or another we all have strangers coming to our homes—to repair a washer or dryer; to have our carpets cleaned; to do pest control; to deliver a new piece of furniture; or to service our pool. These are normal activities of life, however, are we aware of the potential danger we face when we open the door to that mover, delivery, or service person? How do we know it’s safe to let them into our home or to even open the door to them? Such a home service cost my sister her life.

The Sue Weaver CAUSE, Consumer Awareness of Unsafe Service Employment, a 501 (c) 3 organization, was founded in 2004 in memory of my sister, Cathy Sue Weaver.

What Happened?

On August 27, 2001, Sue Weaver was brutally beaten, raped and murdered, and her suburban Orlando home was set on fire. Her killer, Jeffrey Hefling, had been in her home six months earlier to clean the air ducts. Sue responded to a flyer she received with her statement from a well-respected Florida department store. She trusted the company she hired and that trust cost Sue her life. Burdines subcontracted the work out, no background check was done, and a twice-convicted sex offender was sent into her home to do the service work.

Sadly, this is not the only story of this kind. Home repair, utility meter reading, furniture delivery, and carpet cleaning have all resulted in rape and death. The Sue Weaver CAUSE will campaign nationwide to alert and educate consumers and employers to the current threats to consumers’ safety because of inadequate or non-existent background checks of people employed to work in our homes. Tragically what happened to my sister could happen to you, your daughter, your sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, wife, friend or neighbor. For our own safety, we need national awareness and safety legislation requiring criminal background checks on people employed to work in our homes.

It is imperative that we alert and educate consumers of the real and serious threat they face when they let workers into their homes. Consumers must not assume that just because they are employing a company with a national name and reputation that the people being sent into their homes to carry out the work are beyond reproach.

Too many major companies around the country that offer in-home services—companies that we think we can trust—are hiring convicted rapists and hardened criminals because they are not conducting any type of background checks.

Did you know?

Did you know convicted felons are taught a trade such as air conditioning repair in prison? Did you know rapists have used their job as a means to seek their next victim? Do you realize that having a service/repair done in your home might actually be a felon's invitation to case your home for a future criminal act? Think about it!

Here are some basic safety suggestions I have for you so that you can be aware and be safe.

• When you need a repair or delivery done in your home, ask the company you plan to hire if they do pre-hiring criminal background checks. If not, don’t use them. Tell them why you will not be using their company and find one that does do background checks on all its’ service workers.
  
  
• It is always a good idea to have another adult in the house when any kind of service is to be done in or around your home. Invite a friend over for coffee.
  
  
• Your children are not a protection. You are actually more vulnerable if you are alone with small children because your attacker might threaten you with the life of your child if you don’t do what he wants.
  
  
• Most important, BE AWARE & BE SAFE

My Purpose

My purpose is not to scare you unnecessarily. It is to prevent what happened to my sister and my family from ever happening to you and your family. If you would like more information on The Sue Weaver CAUSE, such as how you can get involved, make a donation, have an idea, or know a similar victim, please contact us at info@sueweavercause.org. We want to hear from you.

Kind Regards,
Lucia W. Bone
Founder