MONDAY UPDATE: State closing Lawrence Place, cites more complaints

By Staff
Jonathan Willis
The Lawrence Place assisted living facility in Russellville has until midnight Monday to have all residents moved out following a court order earlier in the day.
Circuit Judge Terry Dempsey granted an order Monday morning after state health officers requested the facility be closed immediately.
Lawrence Place received a 38 rating out of a possible 100 points following a January health inspection.
At the time, health officers found several critical items of concern related to the safety and health of residents there.
The Alabama Department of Public Health reached an agreement with Lawrence Place owner Roger Jacobson earlier this month that gave Jacobson until March 7 to sell the business or be closed.
Health inspectors were back at Lawrence Place last week and found more violations that led to Monday's request that it be closed.
Rick Harris, director of health provider services for the department, said new complaints came into his office last week, this time, concerning possible elder abuse.
"This is absolutely one of the most egregious cases of elderly care that I've ever seen," Harris said.
The Franklin County Department of Human Resources worked with family members Monday to find new places for residents to live.