A day after Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer announced the shutdown of two unlicensed assisted-care facilities whose operator are accused of abusing residents, there was an air of uncertainty about whether residents were moving out or staying.
According to Feuer, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge appointed a receiver to work with local and state agencies to relocate people from the Agape Mission House and Agape Home Church, both located in the Adams District on Hobart Boulevard.
Feuer accuses the pastor and his wife of mistreating residents -- putting them in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions and punishing them for not participating in religious activities.
Officials from Agape could not be reached for comment on the allegations.
Residents, meanwhile, were confused.
“The staff inside are saying we don't have to leave … a lot of mixed messages,” said Amanda Cole, a resident.
Bertell Brinkley took a wait-and-see attitude.
Others had mixed feelings about the home.
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"It was very crowded," said Raymond Jones, a former employee. "I would see them sometimes let people go because of the crowdedness. There was some people who didn't have a bed. They'd been sleeping in the living area."
Cole said that if residents didn't go to services the pastor would make them go stand by a tree. But, compared to other facilities, she said this one is nice.
Agape Mission house and church is an assisted living facility for homeless and mentally and physically disabled residents.
The city says it has a history of code violations and court records show it lost its license last year.
A lawsuit also accuses operators of subjecting residents to punishments that violated their personal rights.
Feuer said his office was working with the receiver and outside agencies to help transport residents who require mental health services.
