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The “Cleaning Fairy” of Ohio: When a Home Break-In Came With Spotless Service
In what became one of the more unusual criminal cases in Ohio history, a woman dubbed the “Cleaning Fairy” was arrested in 2012 after breaking into a Westlake residence, thoroughly cleaning it, and leaving behind a bill for $75.
Susan Warren, a professional house cleaner from Elyria, Ohio, entered a home uninvited on May 29, 2012, and proceeded to vacuum carpets, tidy the playroom, and take out the trash. The bizarre incident might have gone unnoticed, except that a young woman named Mallory Bush was asleep in the house during Warren’s unauthorized cleaning spree.
Upon waking, Bush noticed something peculiar – items around the house had been rearranged, and the home appeared tidier than when she had gone to sleep. She also found a handwritten note on a napkin that read, “Came here to clean today,” complete with a name, address, and a $75 charge for services rendered.
“At first I thought my parents had hired someone to clean the house,” Bush told a Cleveland ABC News affiliate at the time. When she called her mother to confirm, she was instructed to contact the police immediately.
Westlake Police Department officers quickly tracked down Warren using the contact information she had helpfully provided on her bill. Court records from the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts confirm that Warren was arrested on May 29 and later charged with attempted burglary and trespassing in a habitation when a person is present.
Warren posted a $5,000 bail on June 9, 2012, according to court documents, and subsequently pleaded guilty to the charges.
The case attracted nationwide media attention, with Warren eventually agreeing to an on-camera interview with FOX 8 News in Cleveland after her release from jail. “I never stole anything, I left a bill on a napkin, which was very unprofessional, I get that,” Warren explained in the June 13, 2012 interview. “I just needed money… I realize I made a mistake. I just lost two weeks of my life.”
Warren’s unconventional business development strategy appeared to be part of a pattern. In January 2013, she made headlines again when she was arrested for shoveling someone’s driveway without permission. That arrest was related to a probation violation stemming from her earlier case, according to Lorain County Correction Officer Anthony Conrod.
The peculiar nature of Warren’s crimes sparked mixed reactions from the public. Her business listing on the directory website Manta became a magnet for commenters in the days following her 2012 arrest. Some users condemned her actions as criminal, with one writing, “This woman is a complete criminal, breaking into homes and then demanding payment. I hope the judge throws the book at her.”
Others, however, seemed amused or even impressed by her initiative, with one commenter noting, “Sue you can come over and clean my house anytime. I’m very busy & need a good house keeper.”
The case highlighted the unusual intersection between entrepreneurship and criminal trespass, creating a cautionary tale about the proper channels for soliciting business. While Warren’s cleaning skills may have been impressive, her method of acquiring clients ultimately landed her in legal trouble.
Attempts to reach Warren for comment were unsuccessful, as the phone number listed on her business page is no longer in service. The Westlake Police Department has not responded to requests for additional details regarding the original arrest record.
The “Cleaning Fairy” case remains one of the more colorful entries in Ohio’s criminal justice annals – a reminder that even well-intentioned services require proper invitation before being rendered.
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7 Comments
Wow, what an unusual case! The ‘Cleaning Fairy’ sounds like quite a character. I wonder what motivated her to break into the home and provide unsolicited cleaning services. Was it just a misunderstanding, or did she have some other agenda?
This is definitely a unique case. On the one hand, the woman’s actions were illegal, but on the other, she did leave a bill and seem to have done a thorough cleaning job. I’m curious to know if there were any mental health or other extenuating factors at play here.
It’s a strange story, for sure. I can understand the homeowner’s surprise and alarm at finding a stranger in their home, even if the person was just trying to tidy up. I wonder if the ‘Cleaning Fairy’ had a history of similar behavior, or if this was a one-time incident.
What an odd and unexpected situation! The ‘Cleaning Fairy’ certainly had an unconventional approach to her work. While breaking into someone’s home is never acceptable, it’s interesting that she left a bill for her services. I wonder if there was some kind of misunderstanding or miscommunication that led to this incident.
This is certainly an unusual turn of events. While cleaning someone’s home without permission is not okay, the woman did leave a bill for her services, which makes the situation a bit more complex. I’m curious to know if there were any extenuating circumstances that led to her actions.
This is certainly a unique and intriguing case. The ‘Cleaning Fairy’ seems to have had good intentions, but her methods were clearly misguided. I’m curious to learn more about the woman’s motivations and whether there were any underlying factors that contributed to her actions.
How strange! The ‘Cleaning Fairy’ seems to have been trying to provide a service, but her approach was certainly unorthodox and illegal. I wonder if there were any mental health or other personal issues that led her to engage in this behavior. It’s an unusual case that raises a lot of questions.