TAMPA — An 81-year-old woman has filed a lawsuit against Publix, saying the grocery store held her for hours and denied her access to the restroom or water after she was accused of pilfering cat food.

Judith Falk had charges against her dropped in Hillsborough County Court last year. But in a lawsuit filed late last month, Falk says Publix store security at the Carrollwood location was cruel and mocked her following the incident. She says they also kept her separated from her 92-year-old husband, for whom she is the prime caregiver.

In a brief statement, Publix said it doesn't comment on pending litigation.

Falk, according to the lawsuit, felt threatened and said employees told her:

"They are gonna handcuff you and take you away."

"You are gonna be the oldest person in the jail."

"You'll be eating bologna sandwiches tonight."

According to a Hillsborough Sheriff's Office report, store loss prevention caught Falk leaving the store with $50 worth of items — cat food, two flash drives, medicine and toothpaste — inside her purse and pockets on May 10, 2017. That report says she told deputies she could pay for the items.

Her attorney, Tampa lawyer David Knox, wrote a detailed 56-page lawsuit retelling what happened from his clients' perspective. Falk, who was 80 at the time of the suspected theft, has no criminal history, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Knox argues in the filing that Falk, a Davis Islands resident, experienced an episode of "sundowning" — when the elderly become disoriented as it gets late — and forgot to pay for the items. She was also weak after an eye appointment where she found out she was likely to need surgery, the lawsuit says.

After Judith Falk was approached by staff and accused of stealing, she and her husband, Richard Falk, were taken to the back of the store.

"They were confused, but willingly complied, in large part due to the trust they felt in Publix based on its relentless branding as a safe, wholesome place to shop," the lawsuit says.

Read more:84-year-old man sues Hard Rock casino after his car is urinated on

The two were separated with Judith taken to an office. Richard Falk reportedly wasn't told where his wife was and "grew deeply confused and alarmed."

Judith Falk says she was kept in the office for nearly three hours and was not allowed to call her daughter. The couple wound up missing its granddaughter's graduation party.

When deputies arrived at the store, they did not arrest Judith Falk, but issued her a court summons.

Click here for more business news

The couple is suing for damages in excess of $15,000. The lawsuit accuses the store of negligence, infliction of emotional distress and other charges.

Contact Sara DiNatale at sdinatale@tampabay.com. Follow @sara_dinatale.