Could be he is dead. Maybe he was a soldier in Afghanistan or Iraq. Maybe he died from something else, maybe he was just a rotten sob and ran off. We really don't have enough info to start jumping to conclusions. As for being poor and owing a car it is simple. You bought the car before you became poor. As far as relatives go, maybe her Uncle won't let her stay with him because he is just as heartless as the manager of the shelter. Her aunt was also in the room with her, what was the big deal? I also have to disagree with his inane remark that Jesus would have kicked her out too. What a jerk, and the rest of you who are siding with this guy are jerks too. Just my opinion of course.
Obvious answer: If this were the case, the author would have included it in the story, as the sole purpose of the article was to elicit your sympathy. It worked.
the rest of you who are siding with this guy are jerks too
Mighty presumptuous of you, O Newbie. Merry Christmas, and may God bless you and your family.