35 residents re-located after state closes adult care home

Thirty-five residents were re-located last week. (Source: WECT)

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Thirty-five people who lived in a Bladen County adult care home were re-located after the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services suspended the facility's license last week.

According to a letter sent Thursday, Highland Gardens Assisted Living of Clarkton was forced to close no later than 5 p.m. on Friday.

The suspension was based on the agency's findings that conditions "present an imminent danger to the health, safety and welfare of the residents and that emergency action is required to protect the residents," according to letter from Megan Lamphere, chief of the DHHS Adult Care Licensure Section.

A DHHS spokeswoman wasn't able to immediately provide a Statement of Deficiencies, but according to the suspension letter, the state found problems with staff qualifications, management of facilities, resident rights, health care personnel, and reporting of accidents and incidents.

Highland Gardens was verbally notified after a complaint investigation August 4 and 5.

The letter stated the Bladen County Department of Social Services could assist the facility with relocating residents.

Highland Gardens has 20 days to appeal the suspension.

35 residents re-located after state closes adult care home

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