Families speak about Whitten closure

CITRONELLE, Ala. (WALA) - Families are speaking out about the closure of a Citronelle assisted living facility shut down by a state order.

About two weeks ago, Tammy Hawkes said she found out Whitten's Country Haven Assisted Living Facility was supposed to be closed.

Hawkes mother was in the facility at the time so she called the owner with questions.

She said she lives in Birmingham, and she needed to be able to make arrangements for her mother.

 "She said, 'No, honey. I’m not shutting down. I’m selling to sister and just going to go right on,'" said Hawkes.

Hawkes said she followed her instincts and moved her loved one.

Mertice Whitten is the owner of the assisted living facility.

On March 12, the state Department of Public Health told her she had until April 12 to close the doors.

 But Whitten said she was having trouble shutting down her business of about 33 years.

“They haven't given me enough time, and I’ve had a little problem with residences families. They don't want to move them,” said Whitten.

Tammy Hawkes and her family disagree. They said they didn’t make arrangements for their loved ones sooner because they had no idea the facility was closing.

Hawkes daughter, Tammy Vickers, is grateful she was able to help move her grandmother to a different place.  But now, she's thinking about the other families involved.

" I’m concerned for them just as much as I would be for my grandmother, just because it's hard to find them places,” said Vickers.

Whitten told FOX10 News as of Thursday, her doors would be closed, and all the residents will have a place to go.

Vickers is doubtful, but she hopes that's the truth.

"I’m not saying she's bad person or she's deliberately doing this stuff, but she has people's lives in her hands. She should be accountable for these people,” said Vickers.

The state said there are civil and criminal penalties for operating a health care facility without a license.

To see the deficiencies report, click here.