COVINGTON, Ky. -- Tenants of a Covington apartment complex confronted their landlord Thursday about toxic mold growing in their homes. Their children are getting sick and Target 5 wanted to follow up to see what's being done about the problem.

Experts said the apartment complex is so infested they wouldn't allow News 5 to enter even while wearing masks.

The battle between tenants and their landlord was center stage Friday, WLWT News 5's Juliette Vara reported.

The tenants said their children have suffered from health problems since the summer. The children who live in the complex face those problems every day.

The cause of those problems could be toxic mold growing in their walls and ceilings.

Experts admit the danger is visible, and the mold you can't see is even more dangerous.

News 5 contacted experts with Icon Environmental Group to assess the problem. No one with the company would go into the apartment without proper attire, Vara reported.

Carmita Monroe said she told her landlord, Tony Salamone, about the problem in July. Salamone told a different story.

Salamone declined to speak on camera, but provided a phone interview. He insisted he didn't know about the mold problem until Thursday night.

He said he was on the phone with specialists all day and wanted to tear down the walls as soon as possible.

The specialist who was sent to the property told News 5 he was instructed to do anything to fix the problem.

Instead of letting the worker inside, some of the tenants refused. Crystal Salmons said she listened to her lawyer, who was afraid the problem would get worse.

The situation was so heated, police officers stepped in and convinced the worker to leave.

The landlord is required to provide 24 hours written notice to enter the apartments. Without permission, they are to enter only in an emergency.

Experts said cleaning up the apartments will not be easy. Professionals would need time to clear up the problem, which could cost $40,000.

"You can't just come in and take away drywall," said Rocky Hensley, of Icon Environmental Group. "It'll contaminate it. You'll spread spores everywhere."

Salamone said he offered to reimburse tenants for a hotel and he plans to offer them room in another complex.