ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A Jonesboro man is facing charges for allegedly running an unlicensed care home, according to the Clayton County Police Department.
Gabriel Robinson was charged with 15 counts of neglect, police said.
Atlanta News First was able to track down Robinson on Tuesday at the Jonesboro home. He denied all allegations.
“Not true,” said Robinson, who identified himself outside the Jonesboro home.
Clayton County police said at least 15 people were living at the unlicensed personal care home in the 300 block of Sir Richard Court.
Police said Robinson was arrested on July 10. On Tuesday, he was out on bond.
Officials said all 15 people are getting treatment. Some were taken to hospitals and others to different facilities.
Clayton police said the residents were facing bed bugs and untreated infections, and were not getting the care they needed.
Police said additional charges are possible.
Both neighbors and police said what was happening in the home was elder abuse.
“It was a lot of mishandling of older people,” said Larshay Sharp, who lives next door.
“We would say it would be adult abuse. That’s what we would call it, actually,” said Sharp in an interview outside her house Tuesday.
Sharp said she called code enforcement when things began to deteriorate because she worried about the health of the residents.
“And that would have been on me, on my conscience. It just wasn’t right, what he was doing,” said Sharp.
“My main concern was for the people. See, I take care of my mom, and she’s an elderly person,” Sharp said. “And I’m a nurse. So, that gets to me.”
Neighbors told Atlanta News First they’ve seen the unlicensed operation for months.
Atlanta News First was able to talk with the property owner, Joyce Symes.
Symes said Robinson was renting the house, and that she had issued a notice to vacate when the charges came to light.
In a press release, Clayton County police highlighted the efforts of social worker Sabrina Calloway, who they say was instrumental in dismantling the personal care home.
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