93-year-old Eustis, Florida woman, Juanita Fitzgerald, was not only evicted days before her birthday, but also hauled off to jail after refusing to leave the premises of a senior living facility Tuesday.
Fitzgerald was arrested for allegedly refusing to leave her home at National Church Residences’ Franklin House after being given a one (1) day notice to vacate. The elderly woman had fallen behind on her rent payments.
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When officers arrived at the facility in the 2400 block of Kurt Street, Fitzgerald was observed sobbing in the lobby after being locked out of her apartment.
According to a Eustis Police Department arrest report, the elder, who was in her house clothes, had been “made well aware the day prior of her being evicted”
The reports states, Fitzgerald was advised “several times” to get her belongings and leave, but she refused officers’ commands and remained, stating, ‘Unless you carry me out of here, I’m not going anywhere.”
The 98-pound, near-centenarian went limp and slid onto the floor as officers tried to escort her from the building, allegedly ‘resisting’ officers’ attempts to remove her, investigators noted.
It was then Fitzgerald was taken into custody and jailed at Lake County Jail just days before her 94th birthday. The officer noted that due to her age and possibility of injury, Fitzgerald was not handcuffed.
The Eustice police report said that Franklin House staff offered to help her move, but Fitzgerald maintained she had nowhere to go. source
The proud woman also refused assistance from the Department of Children and Families, The Homeless Coalition, Department of Elder Affairs and eight other agencies, officers said.
At last check, Fitzgerald was still sitting in jail in lieu of a $500 bond on a charge of trespassing.