Keyanna Dorsey, a working mom-of-four and a grandma, had three cars on her property. Two of her daughters used two, while Dorsey used the other to get to her two jobs. Suddenly and without warning, a University City, Missouri-sanctioned tow truck appeared.

In the blink of an eye, the tow truck driver backed onto her driveway and towed two of her cars. In the process, her third car was damaged. Dorsey watched it all happen in broad daylight, without any word as to why her vehicles were abruptly taken.

“I’m still in the dark,” Dorsey told KSDK. She said she tried to ask the tow truck driver why it was happening but was quickly dismissed. She promptly contacted city officials, who denied damaging her car and directed her to take it up with her county.

Dorsey couldn’t pinpoint any legal issues

Left without answers, Dorsey did some research and couldn’t find any unpaid tickets or fines associated with her cars.

“All of my property taxes are paid,” she said. When reporters contacted city and county officials for answers, they were given vague responses. It was a city attorney who told her the cars were towed due to being “unlicensed.” Therefore, they were towed as “public nuisances.”

Dorsey was confused, as she had documentation for both vehicles.

“I had plates on the vehicles,” she said. “I’m getting ripped off.”

The towing company is charging her thousands

Since she can’t retrieve her vehicles, storage and towing fees have been piling up. At the time of publication, she owes over $7,000. Dorsey, feeling like she missed out on an opportunity to argue her case, hired attorney Brianna Coopersmith. She works for ArchCity, a legal advocate company.

She thinks the city’s actions could be considered unconstitutional.

“Any time you take private property, the government has to provide notice and opportunity to be heard… It’s deeply concerning when the government can come onto someone’s private driveway, where cars are legally parked, not presenting any safety hazard, and take them without warning,” she said.

The two lawyers are duking it out

Until Dorsey’s attorney and the city attorney hash it out lawyer-style, her cars continue to sit in the tow yard and collect fees. She wants the city to be held accountable and pay the fees.

The city argued nothing was done illegally, and vigorously defended its towing policies. Until she shows proof of ownership and pays the lot fees, they have no intention of releasing her cars.

Therefore, the legal battle wages on.