Kansas City, MO - They didn't know they'd bought a 'meth house' until Elisha Hessel's unborn baby tested positive for methamphetamines.
An investigation revealed the illicit source of the chemicals in the mother's system - the home that Elisha and her husband had bought near the St. Louis Metro had previously been used as a meth lab.
Which raises the question - how do homebuyers know?
Sellers in Kansas are required to disclose the presence of potential problems, said Dan Lynch, a real estate agent.
"One of the questions on the seller's disclosure directly asks the seller if they produced meth in the house," Lynch said.
Missouri has a similar law that requires sellers to reveal any meth activity in the home.
Sellers in this area often chuckle at the question as they answer no. But in some cases, it is a real issue.
If a property has a meth lab in its history, the premisis must be thoroughly inspected, Lynch said.
They'll decide what needs to be done from that point on," Lynch said. "They may need removal of all porous materials, sheetrock and even wood, if it's deemed appropriate."
The inspection process is not easy and it can be very pricey. People who find themselves trying to buy or sell a property with potential problems should get legal help, Lynch said.