The Cleary
Family Story

What began as a dream home eventually became a deeply personal public health concern for our family.

This page documents our family’s experience after discovering recurring water intrusion, mold concerns, and structural issues inside our home at 16004 Cody in Overland Park, Kansas.

Our goal is not to speak for every homeowner or every home. We are sharing what happened to our family, what we observed, and why we believe other families should understand the importance of early detection, independent inspections, and moisture awareness.

As registered nurses and parents, we felt a responsibility to share our experience publicly so other homeowners can ask stronger questions, seek qualified guidance, and better understand the risks that may come with hidden moisture inside a home.

The Beginning

When we first moved into the home, we were excited to begin a new chapter for our family.

Like many homeowners investing in a custom-built home, we believed we were moving into a safe and finished environment where our children could grow, rest, and feel protected.

Over time, however, we began noticing issues that became increasingly difficult to ignore.

Leaks
Recurring moisture
Musty odors
Areas of visible deterioration
Concerns that seemed to return even after repairs were attempted

At first, we hoped these issues were isolated. Eventually, we realized the pattern needed to be documented more carefully.

As the concerns continued, we began keeping records, photos, and notes so we could better understand what was happening inside the home.

For more detail about the water intrusion and structural concerns we documented, visit our Structural Issues page.

Moisture intrusion and mold growth documented near interior windows.

The Discovery of Mold

As moisture-related concerns continued, independent inspections and testing were pursued.

The findings raised serious concerns for our family.

Mold was later documented in portions of the home, including areas that were not immediately visible during normal day-to-day living. Some of the concerns involved hidden moisture behind walls, finishes, and enclosed areas of the home.

For us, this was especially alarming because multiple members of our household had also been experiencing health symptoms during the same general period.

We are not using this page to make broad claims about every Willis home or every homeowner’s experience. This page is about what was documented in our home and why we believe families should take moisture concerns seriously.

Photos and visual documentation related to the mold discovered in our home are available on the Mold page.

The Health Concerns

During the same general period, several family members experienced symptoms, including:

Persistent coughing
Respiratory irritation
Fatigue
Headaches
Sinus inflammation
Increased illness sensitivity

The emotional weight became even heavier as our concerns grew regarding the possible impact on our children.

As registered nurses, we understood that indoor moisture and mold concerns should not be ignored. We also understood the importance of seeking appropriate professional guidance rather than relying on assumptions.

After living in the home for an extended period, our family pursued additional health and environmental testing related to mold concerns.

This experience fundamentally changed the way we view indoor environmental health, moisture problems, and the importance of independent evaluation when warning signs appear.

For general mold awareness, testing information, and homeowner education, visit our Community Education page.

Why We Decided to Speak Publicly

For a long time, we struggled with whether to remain silent.

This was never an easy decision. Sharing something this personal means opening our family’s experience to public attention, questions, and scrutiny.

But ultimately, we felt that staying quiet could allow other families to miss warning signs that may matter.

This website was not created out of anger.

It was created out of responsibility.

We believe homeowners deserve:

Transparency
Education
Independent information
Greater awareness around hidden moisture and mold risks
The confidence to ask questions when something does not feel right

Our goal is public awareness. We are sharing our family’s documented experience so other homeowners can better understand why recurring moisture, musty odors, visible deterioration, and unexplained household health concerns should be taken seriously.

We also believe conversations around public health, home safety, inspection practices, and homeowner awareness should be approached carefully, professionally, and responsibly.

What We Hope Other Families Understand

Looking back, there are several things we wish we had understood earlier.

Persistent Moisture Is Never Normal

Recurring leaks, damp areas, and water intrusion should always be thoroughly investigated.

Even when a home looks finished on the surface, moisture can create hidden concerns if it is not properly identified and resolved.

Mold Is Often Hidden

Mold or moisture-related damage may exist behind walls, under flooring, and inside enclosed areas.

That is one reason visual appearance alone may not be enough when there are repeated signs of moisture, odor, or deterioration.

Health Symptoms Should Not Be Ignored

Unexplained respiratory, sinus, fatigue, or inflammatory symptoms deserve attention, especially when multiple household members experience symptoms during the same general period.

This website is not medical advice. Families with health concerns should speak with qualified medical professionals.

Independent Testing Matters

Homeowners should not rely only on surface appearances when moisture concerns are present.

Independent inspections, moisture readings, mold testing, and proper documentation can help families better understand what may be happening inside a home.

Documentation Helps Protect Families

Photos, written timelines, inspection records, testing results, and repair notes can help families keep a clear record of what happened and when.

For our family, documentation became an important part of understanding the full picture.

Moving Forward

Today, our focus remains centered on awareness, education, and public health.

We hope this website helps other homeowners:

Ask stronger questions
Seek independent inspections sooner
Understand the risks associated with hidden moisture
Document concerns clearly
Protect their families
Advocate for greater transparency around home safety and indoor environmental concerns

If you are new to our story, we encourage you to review the documented mold concerns on our Mold page, the water intrusion and structural concerns on our Structural Issues page, and the general mold awareness information on our Community Education page.

If you want to support the public awareness effort, you can visit the Petition page.

If you have questions, information to share, or would like to contact us directly, please visit the Contact page.

Important Note

This website documents the Cleary family’s personal experience with their home at 16004 Cody, including water intrusion, mold concerns, structural concerns, and related family health concerns.

The information shared is based on our family’s observations, documentation, testing, and experience. It is intended for public awareness and homeowner education only.

This website does not provide medical, legal, engineering, construction, or inspection advice. Families with health, legal, construction, or mold-related concerns should consult qualified professionals.

Damage discovered behind interior walls.

We are willing to provide access to the home for those who wish to better understand the situation. For safety reasons, visitors will be required to wear protective equipment, including masks, and sign a waiver prior to entry.

MOLD PHOTOS

STRUCTURAL ISSUES

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why did the Cleary family create this website?

The Cleary family created this website to document their firsthand experience with mold discovered inside their home, recurring water intrusion, structural concerns, and indoor environmental health questions at 16004 Cody in Overland Park, Kansas.

The purpose of the site is public awareness and homeowner education.

What happened at 16004 Cody?

16004 Cody is the home where the Cleary family documented recurring water intrusion, mold discovered inside the residence, structural concerns, and related family health concerns.

This page shares the family’s firsthand experience at the property for public awareness and homeowner education.

What is the Willis Homes Public Health Alert?

Willis Homes Public Health Alert is a public awareness website created to document the Cleary family’s experience with their home at 16004 Cody, including water intrusion, mold concerns, structural concerns, and indoor environmental health questions.

The site is intended to help homeowners understand why moisture concerns, mold testing, and independent inspections matter.

Can mold exist behind walls?

Yes. Mold can exist behind walls when moisture becomes trapped inside wall cavities, insulation, sheathing, or other building materials.

In some cases, mold may not be visible until materials are opened, moisture readings are taken, or a qualified professional completes an inspection.

Can a new construction home have mold?

Yes. Mold can develop in a new construction home if moisture is allowed to remain inside building materials.

Possible moisture sources may include leaks, humidity, drainage problems, roof issues, plumbing concerns, or ventilation deficiencies. Homeowners with concerns should consider independent moisture and mold inspection.

Can mold exposure affect children?

Children may be more sensitive to indoor mold exposure, especially if they have asthma, allergies, or respiratory sensitivities.

This website does not provide medical advice. Families with health concerns should speak with qualified medical professionals.

What should homeowners do if they suspect hidden mold?

Homeowners should document visible signs, track moisture events, keep records of repairs, and consider an independent mold and moisture inspection.

If health symptoms are present, they should also consult a qualified medical professional.

The Cleary Family Story