Mother recalls son's death while living at assisted-living facility
CHICAGO (WLS) -- As authorities investigate the "deplorable" conditions at a Dixmoor assisted-living facility, one mother recalled how her son died while living at an associated facility in Chicago.
Donna Jones' 33-year-old son Reggie died in 2014 while a resident at the Mothers House at 78th and Yates on the South Side. She had no idea checking her son into the facility, which a hospital recommended, would lead to his death.
"The day he died there was nobody there, and he fell over the balcony to his death and nobody found him for hours," Jones said.
Reggie was a diagnosed schizophrenic with an alcohol dependency. Somehow, his mother said, Reggie was allowed to get out of the housing facility and get alcohol. A toxicology report after his death revealed he was under the influence.
"The fact that they allowed him to become intoxicated to the level where he would fall to his death clearly seemed to be negligent," said attorney David Gallagher.
The Mothers House is an assisted-living facility run by Eunice Walker, who has a criminal history that includes fraud, identity theft and more, according to court records.
The facility operated in multiple locations. On Thursday, residents at the Dixmoor location were evacuated and the building was boarded after authorities found poor living conditions, including no hot water, bed bugs and padlocked fire exits.
The facility was never licensed, police said, and followed no state regulations.
Now, families of the residents are pushing for criminal charges.
Jones won a judgment against Walker. Walker has yet to appear in court and there is a warrant out for her arrest.
Now, the questions are: Where is she? Will authorities make sure this doesn't happen again?
"They really should arrest this woman, and put her in a jail somewhere cause she's gonna keep doing it to other people and it's not right," Jones said.
Walker could not be reached for comment.
