Sounds like a zoning code violation, unless there was an exit door in addition to the “normal” stairway.
Better get the building code enforcers over there STAT !!!
I was thinking myself that occupied square footage without some means of exterior egress is a big no-no. Not just a zoning violation but illegal. What if there were a fire?
That was my observation.
Every bedroom needs two means of egress in order to pass code.
Likely there are millions who don’t know this and violate in ignorance.
LOL - that was my first thought as well. It wasn’t the legal weapons the mom had - it was the illegal windowless bedroom!