My 13th Reason-Victim of Kia Boys

My name is Paris Henry. I am 35 years old. I am a single mother to two boys (13 and 7).

For over a year, I’ve watched TikTok videos from consumers who own Hyundais and Kias and their cars are getting stolen because there is a way to start the ignition with an iPhone charger. The groups have labeled themselves “The Kia Boys” and have formed groups all over the United States.

I never thought that would be me.

March 31st was a normal day. I picked my son up from school and arrived home around 4:30 pm. I cooked, worked a little, and laid down.

On the afternoon of April 1st, I threw on some clothes to go to the store. I made it downstairs only to realize that my car was missing. I instantly thought repo and contacted my lienholder, who informed me that they had not taken my car so I needed to call the cops.

I called the cops (Harris County Sheriff’s Officer) where the dispatcher kept asking me over and over if I was sure that the last place that I had my car was at my apartment. I told them yes. They told me that they could no longer tell me anything over the phone and that a deputy had to come to me.

While waiting, I went talk to management at my apartments because there is a camera on the gate. They told me that neither I nor the cops could attain that footage. They would take a copy of my police report though. I asked them if this has happened often. They said no. But based on reviews I’ve read, theft occurs frequently back here. I witnessed a couple come out to their Toyota Camry with all 4 tires gone. I left the office because she wasn’t any help.

After about 2-3 hours, a deputy contacted me via phone. He then told me that on March 31st at 11:48 pm, my car was found abandoned, blocking two lanes of traffic by Liberty or Lincoln Oaks (I can’t remember) and Clay Road. Witnesses saw the car crash and 5 juveniles of unknown descent running into a construction site. Upon deputies arriving they saw the right window busted out and the ignition tampered with which indicated the vehicle was stolen. They made attempts to reach the registered owner (me) but was unsuccessful. I never received one phone call that night.

Kia and Hyundai need to do better. This is effecting thousands of consumers world wide and the only thing they can offer is some kind of wheel lock that take months to come in. I live paycheck to paycheck. I cannot afford damages.

I also cannot afford a rental car months if the car can be fixed as due to the rise in thefts of Kia’s and Hyundai’s their part are on back order. I’m out here in Texas alone with one of my son’s and no transportation. My closest relative and friend both live at least an hour away. My son has swimming lessons. I do Shipt and Instacart on the side to supplement my income. Both of my kids birthday are this month. I’m drowning! And Kia doesn’t care.

Do to me only having liability, all damages are on me!

I’m stretching my faith to the fullest right now that everything will work out. Both of my kid’s birthday’s are this month. Truthfully, I don’t know what to do or where to turn. I’ve always worked hard for anything that my boys and I need. Even now, I was doing gig work to supplement my 9-5 and I can’t even do that due to not having a car.

I know that the economy is bad for everyone right now, but I don’t care if you only give $1. It will go towards repairs if the car can be fixed,

down payment for another car if it’s totaled, as well as for car rentals, Uber, etc .