A Florida woman was arrested just days before her 94th birthday when she refused to leave her home after being evicted, police said.
Juanita Fitzgerald remains held on $500 bail on a trespassing charge at the Lake County Jail as of Thursday, one day ahead of her 94th birthday, according to jail records.
The 5-foot, 100-pound woman was evicted from a senior living community called the National Church Residences’ Franklin House in Eustis after falling behind on her rent, WFTV reports.
Fitzgerald was notified in advance of her impending eviction, police said, but was still defiant when cops showed up, saying, “Unless you carry me out of here, I’m not going anywhere,” according to an arrest report obtained by the station.
Officers then warned Fitzgerald that she’d be arrested if she didn’t leave the premises.
“Juanita still did not listen and refused to leave, stating again to ‘carry me out of here,’” according to the arrest report.
The frail nonagenarian then slumped herself on the floor as cops tried to take her out of the building, even resisting attempts to move her. She was not handcuffed, however, due to her age and potential for injury, an arresting officer noted.
Staff at the senior living center offered to help Fitzgerald find new living accommodations, according to the police report, but she refused the assistance. She also turned down help from the Department of Children and Families, as well as the Department of Elder Affairs and eight other agencies, police said.