(ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. (WXYZ) - The childhood home of superstar Madonna is coming under scrutiny as the house has become run down and the current owner is being held responsible.
To paraphrase one of Madonna's hit songs, the home in Rochester Hills has become "Like an Eyesore." To Juliette Dedaj, it was her dream house, not because Madonna grew up there, but because it was a symbol of a better way of life for her family. But two years ago, an arson fire and an ongoing battle with her insurance company forced Dedaj, her husband and two children to move out. Meanwhile, the home has fallen into disrepair, and the city of Rochester Hills ordered Juliette into court.
The boarded up windows must be replaced and the home brought up to code, or else the family will be fined $100 a day. Although the home has been sold several times since Madonna moved out, Juliette's family is only the second family to actually live here, and she says before the fire, at least one of Madonna's relatives stopped by to reminisce.
"Her sister did come by, she wanted to see the house," Dedaj said. "And I've had several different people from the media come by, (they) wanted to do stories on it."
Dedaj says she has money to bring the house up to code, but without insurance, it will be hard to move back in.
