landlord destroys all tenant's property

My niece and husband gave notice to move. Rent was due Apr. 10 for period from Apr. 10 through May 10. Landlady verbally agreed to allow them to pay her $10 per day for all past Apr. 10. Niece moved large furniture and few dishes to new house. On Apr. 28 landlady changed locks on apt. and destroyed all niece's personal items. Stated she took it all to the dump. Included clothing, toys,
various banks with over $500 change in them, family bibles, even niece's purse with driver's license, social security card. Also destroyed cancelled checks, receipts, insurance policies, everything. My question is why this is not a criminal case. Lawyers and officials in our little backwoods county insist that it is civil and my niece cannot afford to go to court to fight this wealthy landlord. Thanks for your input. We live in Wayne County, Kentucky.

[This message has been edited by bcatron (edited May 02, 2000).]